Gruen VonBehrens, 38, passed away at 4:45 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at his home in Stewardson after a long battle with cancer.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2015 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in Stewardson Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to Gruen's children. Online condolences may be left at www.bauerfh.com.

Gruen was born May 14, 1977 in Mattoon, the son of Tina (Zike) VonBehrens. He graduated from Stewardson - Strasburg High School in the class of 1995 and later attended Lakeland College in Mattoon. Gruen married Sara M. Pruemer on April 26, 2008. He was a motivational speaker who dedicated his life to raising awareness to the dangers of tobacco. Gruen was an avid outdoorsman, who loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed cooking and was very involved in showing sheep with his family. Gruen's motto was, "live life to the fullest", which he truly did.

Gruen is survived by his wife, Sara and two daughters, Katelyn and Claire, of Stewardson; sister, Kylee (Sam) Hewing of Effingham; two nieces, two nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents, Paul and Jeanne Zike.