John J. Grussel

John Joseph Grussel, age 79, passed away February 19, 2026 after a long fight with cancer.

A Prayer Service, with visitation to follow, is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, Gainesville. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Monday, March 2, beginning at 10:00 a.m., at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Lindsay. A committal service with military honors will immediately follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lindsay.

John was born October 6, 1946 in Elmhurst, IL to John H. and Geraldine (Mathieu) Grussel. He was raised alongside one sister, Maureen (Pulte) and two brothers, Richard and Mike, in a loving, close-knit, faith-oriented family.

After attending school in Illinois, he entered the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls until January 22, 1969. He then worked 10 years as a welder for National Supply in Gainesville. In 1985, he joined Weber Aircraft as a heliarc welder and retired with 30 years of service from Zodiac Seats in 2015.

John had a passion for drag racing. He was well known and liked in the racing circle, where he made many lifelong friends. He was known for a quick sense of humor and his willingness to lend a helping hand. He had a profound love of animals and rarely missed a day feeding his yard birds.

Survived by: wife Lillian (Holy) Grussel; son John David Grussel (Sandra); daughter Julie Stanley (Nate); daughter Rachel Corcoran (John); daughter Sylvia Pearson (Jeff); son Stephen Svacina (Sonya); grandchildren: Braedon Stanley, Kaven Grussel, Trinity Grussel, Lydia Grussel, Jonathan Grussel, David Jackson (Alexis), Maegan Svacina Pompa (Jose), Lauren Svacina Rojas (Alberto), Trent Svacina, Zachary Svacina, and Evelina Svacina; and great-grandchildren Nicole Rojas and Charolette Rose Jackson.