Ralph W. Groth

Mar. 17, 1923 - Mar. 6, 2012
MISHAWAKA - Ralph W. Groth, 88, passed away peacefully in South Bend on March 6. Ralph was born in Wausau, WI on March 17, 1923 to his parents, William H. and Lillie M. (Jahns) Groth. During WW II he proudly served his country in the U.S. Army in New Guinea and the Philippines. After the war he attended Princeton University in New Jersey, later receiving his bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University. The same day he graduated, June 5, 1949, he married a beautiful young nurse from Valparaiso, Norma Jean Whitehead. They soon settled in Mishawaka in 1950 after Ralph took an accounting position at Ball Band. Ralph later worked in similar capacities for Bendix Automotive and Wheel Horse in South Bend, and 20th Century Fiberglass in Elkhart. Ralph was a long-time active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Rotary Club, Bendix Retirees Club and the Mishawaka High Alumni Club. He loved reading history and was a gifted handyman/mechanic who enjoyed collecting and working on vintage automobiles. Survivors in addition to Norma are their three sons, Bill (Phyllis) of Indianapolis, Jon (Kathy) of Valparaiso, and Gary (Pam) of Jensen Beach FL; seven grandchildren, Liane (Michael) Hulka of Indianapolis, Dr. Jessica (Ben) Massie of Chicago, Colleen (Kyle) Murphy of St. Louis, Valerie LaMonica of Chicago, Laura Groth of Washington D.C., and Katherine and Matt Groth of Jensen Beach; and great grandsons Sam and Oliver Hulka of Indianapolis. Ralph is also survived by sisters Helen Larson of Fort Wayne and Jean (Don) Van Scotter of Hot Springs, AR, and several nieces and nephews from Hawaii to New York. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marian Hahn and her husband, Elroy of Wausau. Visitation will take place at Hahn Funeral Home, 505 W. 8th Street, Mishawaka on Sunday, March 11, from 1 to 3 p.m., followed immediately by a memorial service celebrating Ralph's life with Rev. Steven Latzke officiating. The family asks that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Center for Hospice Care/Hospice Foundation, 4220 Edison Lakes Parkway, Suite 210, Mishawaka, IN 46545 or to a favorite charity. We wish to thank the many friends who regularly visited Ralph in his final days, and especially the staffs of The Sanctuary at St. Paul's and Hospice for their compassionate care. We will miss Ralph but are comforted in the knowledge that he is in the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our website at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com.