Jacksonville - Jackie Gruber, 78, of Jacksonville, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville with Patrick Evans officiating. She will be laid to rest at Still Waters Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will begin Tuesday, June 3, 2025 and Jackie's family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville.

She was born on August 23, 1946 in Morrow County, Ohio to Raymond and Marjorie (Jackson) West.

Jackie was not just a loving wife but a devoted mother to her children, making their school clothes and attending all school functions and extracurricular activities like concerts and sporting events. Mrs. Gruber was an Eastern Star and a member of First Methodist Church where she was involved with the food pantry and Mini Methodist After School Program. She worked as a secretary at the County Attorney Office of Cherokee County and for Bealls Department Store for several years. Jackie had a talent for crafting. She created painted jewelry and loved reflecting the holidays with her handmade wooden santas and pumpkins. She found much joy alongside her husband, selling her crafts through her company Jackie's Strawberry Patch at craft shows.

Jacie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Gruber and brother, Doug West.

Left to cherish Jackie's memory are her children, Jennifer Swedoski and husband Mike of Jacksonville, Kirsten Mathis and husband Paul of Denison, Donald Eugene Gruber II and wife Tereasa of Wisconsin and bonus son, Darron Baxter and fiancé Christina of Jacksonville. She is also survived by her brother, Lee West and wife Shirley of Mt. Gilead, OH and sister, Susan Dea Riley of Ohio; her grandchildren Tiffany Barber (John), Marjorie Fetty and Devin Mauch, Barrett Gruber, Cade Gruber, Alina Swedoski, Kalan Gruber and Parker Gruber; and her great-grandchildren Ivan Barber, Eugenia Barber, and Fay Mauch

Pallbearers will be Mike Swedoski, Darron Baxter, John Barber, Barrett Gruber, Cade Gruber and Ivan Barber.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Trinity assisted living facility. They have taken such good care of my mom since January, and they have treated her like family.

Rather than customary condolences, the family requests donations be made to First Methodist Church, 1031 TX-456 Loop, Jacksonville, TX 75766.