Lisa Stocking Gruver of Macomb, Illinois unexpectedly passed from this life on July 26, 2012. Her family is sincerely grateful to all the health care professionals who compassionately provided care during an extended illness. Lisa and her husband, Dr. Joel Gruver, both completed advanced degrees in Soil Science, reflecting their love of nature and agriculture. In addition to her active support of Joel’s work in the School of Agriculture at Western Illinois University, Lisa poured her heart and soul into a host of grass roots organizations in Macomb including the Prairie Land Conservancy, Habitat for Humanity, Food Initiatives Group, Environmentally Concerned Citizens and The Nature Quilt Project. Lisa launched The Nature Quilt Project with a rainforest quilt in 2008 as part of her deep commitment to engaging children in nature that began with a trip to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica as a teenager. Essential in Lisa’s life was her love for the Christian Science church and its principles. She served in many capacities, most recently as a “lay reader” in the Christian Science Church in Galesburg, Illinois. In the Native American tradition, a certain lake in New England was described as the “Smile of the Great Spirit” and that is an apt description of Lisa as well. She has always had a heart brimming over with the purity and love described in I Corinthians 13: 1-13. Lisa truly lived for others and her “serving nature” and radiant smile are the legacy she leaves with all of her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Joel Gruver in Macomb, Illinois, her brothers, Andrew Stocking (Amy) of Washington D.C. and Peter Stocking (Erin) of Philomath, Oregon and her parents, Carol and Chuck Stocking of Perrysburg, Ohio. A family memorial service will take place in Chicago, Illinois on Tuesday July 31st and a community memorial service is planned for early October in Macomb. The family requests that friends and the community join with them in celebrating a life well-lived. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Children’s Eternal Rain Forest or the Prairie Land Conservancy. Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home of Macomb, Illinois is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave online condolences at www.dodsworthfh.com