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Earl Groneman Obituary
Earl Rose Groneman Jr., age 88, died in a tragic automobile accident on December 28, 2011, as he was on his way to do what he loved which was working in the Jordan River Temple. He was born November 8, 1923, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Earl Rose Sr. and Eliza Holley Groneman. He married Alice Taylor on November 6, 1942; the marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on October 24, 1950.
My dear, sweet husband grew up in the Salt Lake Valley and we moved to Provo with our young family in 1950. We later moved to Murray, where he gardened and cooked for our family and neighbors.
He retired from Valley Bank and Proctor and Gamble. He also owned the Zesto Drive-In in South Salt Lake.
Earl served his country in the Army during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1944. Then he served in the Air Force Reserve for 15 more years, earning the rank of Captain. He attended East High School and graduated from the University of Utah in 1976. Even though Grandpa Apple graduated from the U, he was an avid fan of BYU and Xavier College.
Earl was an active member and high priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was serving as a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple, where he served for about 30 years. He and his wife also served two separate Humanitarian Missions.
Dad and Mom were looking forward to celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary next November.
Earl is survived by his wife, Alice; children Tom (Jodi), Susan Cline (Evan), Pam Manwill (Ted), Erlyn Barlocker (Brad); 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren - with two more due in July; brother Holley (Diane), sister Adele Truscott (Ken), and sister-in-law Meredith. He was preceded in death by his son Earl Terry, parents Earl Sr. and Eliza, and brother George.
A viewing will be held on Monday, January 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, in Murray, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to funeral services. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 3, at 11 a.m. at the Riverside 2nd Ward, 500 West Germania Avenue, in Murray. Internment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park, 3401 South Highland Drive, in Holladay. Online condolences shared at www.jenkins-soffe.com.
Dad- we will miss you… and your homemade rice pudding, bread, pancakes and breakfasts! "How's the flavor?"
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Earl Groneman
Marc Callister
January 4, 2012
Alice & Family,
I was greatly saddened to hear about the loss of Earl. He was truly a good-hearted man and will always be remembered with much fondness and love. I'm confident that he is continuing the work he loved so much from the other side of the veil. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time.
January 3, 2012
it was an honor to know him.
Brian and Kathy Withers
January 3, 2012
We were so sad to learn of Earl's passing. He will always be remembered for his friendliness and support--and energetic applause for his grandchildren's performances. Susan, we love you and your family, and we will continue to include all of you in our prayers. Your parents are wonderful, and your dad is a gem.
Much love,
James & Chris Kennicott
January 3, 2012
T. (Tom) and family, Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. We haven't kept in touch, but we know that this has to be a difficult time for you. We have you in our thoughts and prayers. Your friends, James and Chris
James & Chris Kennicott
January 3, 2012
T. (Tom) and family, Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your father. We haven't kept in touch, but we know that this has to be a difficult time for your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your friends, James and Chris Kennicott
January 3, 2012
May we extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. May the love of our Savior rest with your family at this time of devastation in your lives. Erlyn, we especially extend our love to you and your family.
Cal and Pauline Dahl
January 2, 2012
Alice and family, What a great feeling it was to run into Earl and Alice so often in the strangest places (usually grocery stores). I loved to talk to you and was always so happy to hear of your good works. Having worked with all your children and you both at Zestos I have a soft spot for all of you. May you be comforted in you times of need and know how you are loved.
Jackie Walton Collings
Doug Taylor
January 2, 2012
To a great Uncle, whose humor will be missed....
Together Again!
January 2, 2012
Kimberly Bailey
January 2, 2012
Grandpa- Thank you for your example! You were always there for me. I love the way you always clap louder and longer than everyone else, parades just aren't going to be the same. Cheering in the middle of a dance recital because you are listening to a sporting event is another thing I am going to miss. You were an amazing gardener and enjoyed sharing your bounty with family and friends. You loved the outdoors, and because of you I love to look in a fish's stomach after catching it to see what it was eating! You are such a diligent son of God! You shared the gospel with everyone and loved working in the temple. I can't imagine the rejoicing that early Wednesday morning up in heaven. Reuniting with your parents, brother, and especially your little boy must have been such an event to witness. I know you are busy working up there. You have touched so many people's lives, mine included! Love you always!!!
Marilyn/Mel Holley
January 2, 2012
My memories of Earl: Even though we grew up in the same area of East Mill Creek, the Groneman kids were quite a bit older than me so I didn't get to know them at that time. Their parents, however, - Earl and Eliza - were our home teachers for many years and as a result I got to know them quite well. Also, I got to know George quite well because he was our Sunday School teacher for a while. The first memory I have of Earl Jr is when my parents had Clayton's Quality Freeze on 27th South and State St. Earl was one of the people who delivered supplies to our drive-in. I remember him being very friendly, very out-going.
When I really got to know Earl was when I married his cousin, Mel, and that's when I developed a wonderful relationship with him and Alice....as well as with Holley and Diane, Adele and Ken and George and Meredith.
Our heart goes out to you, Alice, and to your children. We loved Earl and will miss him very much. He was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. Much love to you and yours.
January 2, 2012
Alice & Erlyn
We were sad to hear about Earl. What an amazing example for all us. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
~Ed, Allison Wilcox & family
We will make it to Alaska one day!
Kurt Cline
January 2, 2012
Gramps,
I am so very greatful for the time that I have known and been able to spend with you throughout my life. You are one of the best examples that I have of a man in my life. I think it says a lot that you passed on your way to the temple doing what you love most. I say love in present tense because I know you are not just resting on the other side, you are most definately doing more of the lords work and doing it well. Do Shaileen and Me a favor and make sure you meet and get to know the child that is supposed to come to our family through adoption because I know from meeting you they will be a much better person through out their life. As others have said I am thankful for all of the visits at your house ending in a walk around the yard showing how all of your veggies and especially the best apples in the world are. I loved being able to walk around and spend just the time with you only doing what you loved. Thank you for the continued support throughout my life and always being there for all of my sports, musical recitals and my favorite in the temple being sealed to Shaileen. You are such an example of how a marriage should work with being just shy of your 70th wedding anniversary. The way I can end this is by just saying thank you and I am greatful I can say with surety that I cant wait so see you one day again.
With Love,
Kurt Cline
January 1, 2012
Alice and family we are so sorry for your loss of a wonderful man. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with you at this time.Love Sterling and Vanda Snarr.
January 1, 2012
Dear Susan, I am so sorry for the pas sing of your father! It is apparent that he is one of the most noble people, dedicating his service to many others. Please know I wish you comfort and love at this difficult time. From one of your friends -- at Murray High.
Candace Garcia
January 1, 2012
Susan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My love goes out to you and all of your family. Always know he is always in your heart and is always watching over you. With all my love and condolences.
Cheryl Taylor
January 1, 2012
Aunt Alice, how sad I was to hear of the accident and passing of my Uncle Earl until I thought about how wonderful it is in Heaven. I have no doubt that he is enjoying himself there. I thought of Terry and how long he has waited. Their reunion must have been sweet and I'm sure the rejoicing continues. This, I think, must be the best Christmas gift either of them could have received. I send you and Tom, Susan, Pam, and Erlyn my love and condolences for your loss. I know though that Uncle Earl is happy where he is.
Marilyn Hanks
January 1, 2012
How the 3 of us ever got together was a miracle! To visit with you and Earl and talk about our Nichols/Holley cousins meant to much to me. We both love our family. Earl was one of a kind--enthusiastic, always happy and so genuine with me. He made me smile! Thank you both for your example of goodness and kindness. I will miss him very much.
At this difficult time, allow all those sweet memories to warm your heart and lean on the support of family and friends. Alice, please know of my prayers and love for you. I'm going to find a way to be related to you too! All my love.
Marilyn Nichols Hanks
Ken Saxton
January 1, 2012
To Earl's Family, he was a choose friend, from the Temple, always a smile and a good word. Always a friendly hug and hang shack. He is already missed. I had the chance to work with him two days a week. I will treasure the time I got to share his friendship and wisdom. I was thinking just the other day, as I watched him pouring through the scriptures, what an example he was to us younger guys. At the young age of 88 he was still studying the scriptures. What a guy, what a friend. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Ken Saxton
Merlin Bradley
January 1, 2012
Earl will be greatly missed on our Wed. shift at the temple. I have had the great pleasure of spending the past eight years serving that time with this great man, doing the Lords work. You and yours have my deepest sympathy. Know that you all are in my prayers at this time.
Jim Scott
December 31, 2011
Bro G was part of the sealing group with my mother, Fern for a good share of time. We met at the Temple and he told me how he met her. I was working the Reco desk when word came of the accident. Earl will be missed a whole lot. We love and respect his service on behalf of the Lord, Jim Scott
Susan Heaton
December 31, 2011
What a great man with a great family. He and Alice were always so welcoming and kind when I came over to hang out with Susan during our crazy high school years. He will surely be missed, but what a blessing to have lived such a full life and be taken while on the Lord's errand. Our prayers are with your family.
Jamie Faurschou
December 31, 2011
Alice and family,
I am so sorry for your loss of your husband and father. Please know that you all are in my prayers at this difficult time right now. Love you all!!!
Jason Bailey
December 31, 2011
Hey Grandpa, I know you already know this but I wanted write it anyways . . . I love you and will miss you greatly.
You never thought twice (well maybe you did but I certainly didn't feel like you did) about making me feel welcome into the family when I married your beautiful grandaughter, Kimberly. I always loved family get-togethers when you were there. Whenever we would pull up to the location, and saw your "old person car" I always knew it would be a great and memorable time. I'm going to miss so many little things about you from the wise comments and coined terms like "sucking face", to watching planes fly in to land and talking about aviation in the back of Evan and Susan's house. I wasn't there but heard about you playing guestures when you had the word "nipple", well, I hear it was a great show. I knew that every time I went to your house to plan for an extra 10 minute tour of your yard. You were always so proud of what you've accomplished in your yard. I knew that the tour would always end with the grand finale of seeing how your rubarb plant was coming along. I never got what the big deal was with that stupid plant until you gave me a jar of rubarb jam. I then returned about a month later for another. It was delicious.
You were a great example to me and everyone around you. With all of the work you did in the temple, I'm sure you have thousands on the other side of the veil that were rejoicing to finally get to personally thank you for helping them with the work that they needed done. I can't imagine the legions of angels singing and rejoicing at your return, not to mention your son that has been waiting all of these years.
I have no doubt that you will not rest even on the other side because of your faith and testimony along with your endless energy. I'm confident that you will continue to do the Lord's work, and do it well. Don't worry about us that remain here, we'll take good care of grandma for you, just save us all a place! Say hi to all of our loved ones for us and do me a favor, give Jesus fist bumps for me! Tell him thanks for everything that he's done for us, and for taking such good care of you.
Janica Petersen
December 31, 2011
Grandpa
This has been a hard week without you here with it being the holidays, but I know that you are somewhere better having fun reconnecting with family and friends. You have been such a great example thruout my life- You are one that had such great faith and one who was excited to share what you knew. I hope to be more like you in that way. I am so grateful for the many memories I have with and of you. I'm grateful that I was able to spend so much time with you at family activities, vacations and also those special times just talking (arguing) about life, religion and politics. I will miss laughing with you (and at you)and enjoying time together.
I will always love and remember you and appriciate all the advise you gave to me. I will never eat Mexican Food again without thinking of you..." This salsa is the best salsa i've ever had" I will never play Christmas games the same without thinking of you "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire" and I will never play Charades again without thinking of you lifting up your shirt. Now, one bit of advise from me--- NO, you shouldn't take your teeth out!! Love you always!! Janica
janica petersen
December 31, 2011
grandpa, i miss you and love you so much! thank you for your example of one who had strong faith and was so excited to share it. I will miss laughing with you and at you! I'm so grateful for the memories I have of you and for the times thru out my life that we spent together. I really hope your prayers in heaven aren't as long as they were here.. You have too much work to do (lol) love you!!
December 31, 2011
Goodnight dear friend and beloved adversary. We still have further discussions to have and I trust and hope that could happen in the Great by and by.
love,Diane
December 31, 2011
Dear Alice and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Our family loved and loves Earl. He was a faithful friend to my Dad, even when the effects of Parkinsons made Dad not easy to be around. Earl was always so positive and smiling. What a dear, dear man he was and is. I'm sure that he will be missed by many. I'm so glad to have known him. I do not know a kinder man. I'm sure that my Dad is happy to be with him- his dear friend. May the Lord's spirit be with and comfort you all.
Love, Diane (Beard) Lee
Cathy Ford
December 31, 2011
Oh how we love the Groneman family. My family grew up with all the kids. My Mom and Alice were more like sisters than friends. What a wonderful time in my life. I remember my childhood experiences with you all. I love you and you are all in my prayers. Cathy
December 31, 2011
We will sure miss Earl.He was a ray of sunshine.We are so sorry for you Alice and your family. You will be in our prayers. Love Sterling and Vanda
Randy & Crystal Burgess
December 31, 2011
Alice, so sorry to read of Earl's accident he was certainly a great man. We enjoyed our association with the two of you when we lived in Murray, two great people. We hope your hearts will be filled with wonderful memories as you celebrate a life well lived.
Denise Coshow
December 31, 2011
Susan and Family:
Sorry to hear about the loss of you father, husband and grandpa. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Sounds like he was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
erlyn Barlocker
December 31, 2011
I love and miss you dad! Thanks for teaching me so much and not leaving any doubt about how much I am loved.
Jason Bailey
December 31, 2011
Hey Grandpa, I know you already know this but I wanted write it anyways . . . I love you and will miss you greatly.
You never thought twice (well maybe you did but I certainly didn't feel like you did) about making me feel welcome into the family when I married your beautiful grandaughter, Kimberly. I always loved family get-togethers when you were there. Whenever we would pull up to the location, and saw your "old person car" I always knew it would be a great and memorable time. I'm going to miss so many little things about you from the wise comments and coined terms like "sucking face", to watching planes fly in to land and talking about aviation in the back of Evan and Susan's house. I wasn't there but heard about you playing guestures when you had the word "nipple", well, I hear it was a great show. I knew that every time I went to your house to plan for an extra 10 minute tour of your yard. You were always so proud of what you've accomplished in your yard. I knew that the tour would always end with the grand finale of seeing how your rubarb plant was coming along. I never got what the big deal was with that stupid plant until you gave me a jar of rubarb jam. I then returned about a month later for another. It was delicious.
You were a great example to me and everyone around you. With all of the work you did in the temple, I'm sure you have thousands on the other side of the veil that were rejoicing to finally get to personally thank you for helping them with the work that they needed done. I can't imagine the legions of angels singing and rejoicing at your return, not to mention your son that has been waiting all of these years.
I have no doubt that you will not rest even on the other side because of your faith and testimony along with your endless energy. I'm confident that you will continue to do the Lord's work, and do it well.
Don't worry about us that remain here, we'll take good care of grandma for you, just save us all a place! Say hi to all of our loved ones for us and do me a favor, give Jesus fist bumps for me! Tell him thanks for everything that he's done for us, and for taking such good care of you.
With way too much love,
Jason Bailey
Robin Bunker
December 31, 2011
We love you!! Praying for your family.
Love,
The Bunkers~Robin,Tyler,Cailyn and Jaron
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