Florence Gruss and Robert Irvin's Family

Florence Gruss Robert Irven and Florence Gruss

Florence Gruss, daughter of Henry, was born at Watervliet, Michigan. Florence died on December 31, 2003 at Jackson, Michigan. She was buried beside her husband in the military cemetery at Battle Creek, Michigan on January 5, 2004. Prior to her marriage, she worked as a clerk for S.S. Kresge Co. Florence enjoyed gardening.

Florence married on February 25, 1941 at Benton Harbor, Michigan to Robert Irvin, son of Edward A. Irvin and Dorothy Last. Bob, as he was known, was born on February 3, 1919 at Three Oaks, Michigan. He died on August 5, 1998 at Jackson, Michigan. Robert was buried in the military cemetery at Battle Creek, Michigan on August 7, 1998. Robert was a career officer in the United States Army, having served in Europe during World War II. He was wounded. After his retirement from the service, Robert worked for Clarks Equipment.

Florence and Robert have nine children.

  1. Sharon Lee Irvin was born on at Benton Harbor, Michigan. Sharon graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in accounting. She has passed her CPA examinations.

    Sharon married on October 13, 1962 at Jackson, Michigan to Anthony P. Kurzy, son of Peter Paul Kurzynowski and Annette Alice Mezio. Anthony was born on February 7, 1937 at Jackson, Michigan. He died on September 3, 1990 in Texas. Anthony worked for Bernard Johnson Incorporated in the construction services division. He later worked for Chemical Waste Management as a project manager for remediation of the EPA superfund. He enjoyed rifle shooting and earned a distinguished rifleman medal.

    Sharon and Anthony have six children.

    1. Catherine Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. She attended the Coast Guard Academy and the University of Houston. She graduated in May of 1989 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi.

      Catherine married on April 19, 1997 to Mark Bartniski.

      Catherine and Mark have two children.

      1. Noel Marie Bartniski.
      2. Travis Edward Bartniski.
    2. Joan Maria Burnham, nee Kurzy Vernon, Amy Catherine and Colt Austin Burnham Joan Marie Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. She attended North Harris County College. She is a register nurse certified in medical-surgical and oncology nursing.

      Joan married at San Antonio, Texas on March 28, 1992 to Vernon Alan Burnham, son of J. V. Burnham and Patti Laurie Latham. Vernon was born at Houston, Texas.

      Joan and Vernon have two children.

      1. Amy Catherine Burnham.
      2. Colt Austin Burnham.
    3. Michael Anthony Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. He attended Texas A&M University earning a degree in engineering. He is a captain in the National Guards.

      Michael married on January 6, 1989 in Texas to Lisa Ehrman, daughter of John William Ehrman, Jr and Loretta Laura Russo. Lisa was born at Cleveland, Ohio.Lisa graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in accounting.

      Michael and Lisa have two children.

      1. Michael Anthony Kurzy, II.
      2. Nicolas William Kurzy.
    4. Mary McIntyre in London Richard, Amber and Alexa McIntyre Mary Elizabeth Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. Mary attended Sam Houston State University earning a degree in Consumer Service, Fashion and Design in December of 1992. She currently works as an Executive Recruiter for Maxwell Drummond International in London, England.

      Mary married on May 25, 1991 in Texas to Richard McIntyre, son of Bernard Wallace McIntyre and Frances Louise Wooten. Richard was born at Columbus, Ohio.

      Mary and Richard have two children.

      1. Amber McIntyre.
      2. Alexa Sarah McIntyre.
    5. Thomas Neil Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. He attended North Harris County College earning an associate degree in music. He graduated from the University of Houston in May of 1997, having majored in television production. He currently works at KPRC-TVin Houston, Texas.

      Thomas married on June 23, 2005 to Jennifer Shouse.

      Thomas and Jennifer have one child.

      1. Robert Cecil Kurzy
    6. Theresa Lynn Kurzy was born at Jackson, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2001 with a bachelor of arts degree in English and History. She subsequently graduated from Texas Wesleyan School of Law in 2004 with a doctorate in jurisprudence. Theresa is currently practicing commercial litigation at the law firm of Haris, Finley & Bogle, P.C. in Forth Worth, Texas.

      Theresa married on August 23, 1997 to Charles Berend, son of Donald Lee Berend and Daphne Disbrow. Charles was born at Wichita Falls, Texas. He attended Texas A&M attaining a degree in Agriculture Business. Charles is a commodities trader for Purina Mills.

      Lucas, Evelyn and Maxwell BerendTheresa and Charles have two children.

      1. Timothy Lucas Berend.
      2. Evelyn Elizabeth Berend.
      3. George Maxwell Berend.
  2. Margaret Ann Irvin was born at Benton Harbor, Michigan.

    Margaret married on January 12, 1963 at Jackson, Michigan to Thomas Arthur Hockman. He was born on July 29, 1940 at Jackson, Michigan. Thomas died on June 2, 1997 at Plymouth, Indiana. He was buried on June 6, 1997 in St. John's Cemetery at Jackson, Michigan.

    Margaret and Thomas have four children.

    1. Steven Joseph Hockman was born on April 22, 1964 at Lansing, Michigan. He died on July 12, 1964 at Detroit, Michigan.
    2. Debra Ann Hockman was born at Jackson, Michigan.

      Debra married on August 18, 1990 at Livonia, Michigan to Brian Gilger. They have been divorced.

      Debra and Brian have two children.

      1. Sarah Elisabeth Gilger.
      2. David Benjamin Gilger.

      Debra married a second time in February of 1999 to David Armstrong. Debra and David have two children.

      1. Riley Armstrong .
      2. Aaron Bailey Armstrong.
    3. Suzanne Michelle Hockman was born at Grand Rapids, Michigan.
    4. Thomas Joseph Hockman was born on April 10, 1982 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He died on July 11, 2004 at Pompano Beach, Florida in an automobile accident. He was buried on July 17, 2004 in Jackson, Michigan.
  3. Mary Alice Irvin.
  4. Carol Elizabeth Irvin was born at Waltham, Massachusetts. She is employed by Crystaphase Products, Inc.

    Carol married on February 21, 1967 at Jackson, Michigan to Stephen Miller, son of Arthur Miller and Margaret Stephens. Stephen was born at Jackson, Michigan. He is a sales representative for Midwest Fastener.

    Carol and Stephen have three children.

    1. Doug and Kristen Miller with daughters Douglas Allen Miller was born at Jackson, Michigan. In 1990 he graduated from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and finance. Then in 1994, Douglas graduated from Ohio University where he earned a Masters of Education degree in higher education administration. He worked for four years at the University of Houston as an advisor. He presently is employed as a trader for Calpine.

      Douglas married on May 16, 1998 at Spring, Texas to Kristen Lee Kelley, daughter of H. Ken Kelley ad Melanie Fisher. Kristen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston in 1996.

      Douglas and Kristen have three children.

      1. Kyla Nicole Miller.
      2. Camryn Grace Miller.
      3. Karsyn Delaney Miller.
    2. Kimberly Ann Miller was born at Jackson, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1991 and from South Texas College of Law in 1995. Kim is employed as a staff attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

      Kimberly married on July 21, 1995 to Phillip Carl Smith, Jr., son of Phillip Carl Smith, Sr. and Verna Belle Melancon. Phillip is an assistant district attorney for Orange County, Texas.

      Kimberly and Phillip have four children.

      1. Jorden Elizabeth Smith.
      2. Kaitlyn Ashley Smith.
      3. Lauren Belle Smith.
      4. Madison Smith.
    3. Jennifer Lynn Miller was born at Jackson, Michigan. She graduated from the University of Houston in 1999 and is employed by AIM Management in Houston, Texas.

      Jennifer married at Houston, Texas on May 20, 2000 to Herbert E. Henion, III, son of Herbert E. Henion, Jr. and Julia S. Shaffer. Herbert was born at San Antonio, Texas. He is an assistant supervisor in the Operations Department at AIM Mutual Funds.

      Jennifer and Herbert have two children.

      1. Herbert E. Henion, IV.
      2. Alexander Henion.
  5. Donna Jean Irvin was born at Munich, Bavaria, Germany. She enjoys oil painting and similar crafts. Together with Robert, Donna owns and manages some rental property in Warsaw, Missouri.

    Donna married on September 25, 1971 at Jackson, Michigan to Robert Clark, son of Floyd Clark and Mary "Ruth" Smith. Robert was born at Jackson, Michigan. He entered the United States Air Force in 1970 and was discharged in 1978. He enjoys running, boating and boat motor repair. Robert has retired from working with the Department of Defense.

    Donna and Robert have two children.

    1. Michael Scott Clark was born at Jackson, Michigan. Michael works for UPS and is attending the University of Missouri at Kansas City.

      Michael married on May 21, 2001 to Kristie Ann Coffin.

      Michael and Karen have two children.

      1. Reagan Marie Clark.
      2. Zoe Ann Clark.
    2. Karen Michelle Clark was born at Jackson, Michigan. Karen is attending Southwest Missouri State University.

      Karen married on May 31, 2003 to Ryan David Osborn. Ryan is employed by Enterprise Rental Cars.

      Karen and Ryan had one child.

      1. Chase Ryan Osborn.
  6. Edward A Irvin was born at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

    Edward married on June 25, 1983 at Michigan to Shawn Maria Schihl, daughter of Thomas Schihl and Elaine Kohler. Shawn was born at Detroit, Michigan.

    Edward and Shawn have two children.

    1. Heather Nicole Irvin.
    2. Scott Thomas Irvin.
  7. Gilbert Henry Irvin was born at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

    Gilbert married on May 5, 1978 at Jackson, Michigan to Susan Maksimchuck, daughter of John Maksimchuck and Marge Chamberlain. Susan was born at Jackson, Michigan.

    Gilbert and Susan have two children.

    1. Timothy Richard Irvin.
    2. Elizabeth Marie Irvin.
  8. Robert Joseph Irvin, aka BJ, was born at Coldwater, Michigan.

    BJ first married on May 7, 1983 at Jackson, Michigan to Teresa Marie Oexler, daughter of Gerald Oexler and Theresa Dragonatti. Teresa was born at Jackson, Michigan.

    Robert and Teresa have one child.

    1. Joseph Gerald Irvin.

    BJ married a second time at Jackson, Michigan on October 18, 1999 to Colleen Jonas.

  9. Patricia Michele Irvin was born at Jackson, Michigan.

    Patricia married on October 15, 1983 at Jackson, Michigan to Richard Dryer, son of Richard E. Dryer and Jan J. Wetzel. Richard was born at Jackson, Michigan.

    Patricia and Richard have two children.

    1. Tracy Michele Dryer.
    2. Brian Richard Dryer.

Sources

  1. Letters from Florence Irvin, nee Gruss, dated April 11, 1983, May 8, 1984 and June 24, 1984.
  2. Letter from Margaret Ann Hockman, nee Irvin, dated May 5, 1983.
  3. Various Christmas letters from Sharon Kurzy and family.
  4. Various Christmas letters from Margaret Ann Hockman and Suzanne Hockman.
  5. E-mail from:
  6. 2006 Christmas card from Donna Clark, nee Irvin.
  7. 2008 Christmas card from Donna Clark, nee Irvin.
  8. 1910 U. S. Federal Census for, Ward 7 of Chicago, Cook, Illinois, Sheet 6A, SD 1, ED 1/1/1, Dwelling 92, Family 125.
  9. 1920 U.S. Federal Census for, Bainbridge Township, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 1B, SD 11, ED 68, Dwelling 19, Family 20.
  10. 1920 U. S. Federal Census for, Chickaming Township, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 5A, SD 4, ED 85, Dwelling 108, Family 108.
  11. 1930 U.S. Federal Census for, Bainbridge Township, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 4B, SD 12, ED 11-1, Dwelling 76, Family 77.
  12. 1930 U.S. Federal Census for, Buchanan, Berrien, Michigan, Sheet 2A, SD 12, ED 11-31, Dwelling 24, Family 25.
  13. World War I draft registration card as found at http://www.ancestry.com for Edward A Irvin.
  14. Obituaries for:

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Written and Edited by Harry Gruss.
Revised May 6, 2009.
My thanks for permission to use the various pictures on this page go to Joan Burnham, Mary McIntyre, Theresa Berend and Douglas Miller.

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