Richard "Dick" Hunter Groff
LUCAS: Richard "Dick" Hunter Groff, 79, of Lucas, passed away at his home on Friday, August 16, 2013.
Richard was born March 4, 1934 in Mansfield and was the son of Richard C. and Vivian (Hunter) Groff. He attended Madison Schools and was very active in the school plays, was the Madison High School's representative to Boys State in 1951, and graduated in May 1952. He earned his bachelor's degree from Ashland College in education on June 6, 1958 and a master's degree from Bowling Green State University on August 20, 1966. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S. Whitehall PCD(R)-856. He was employed by the Mansfield City School District and taught Business Classes at Mansfield Senior High for 30 years. He took some of his senior classes on trips to the Smokey Mountains, the Biltmore House in Ashley, North Carolina, the IBM plant, the Keenland Race Track in Kentucky, the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, and to the Wellen Locks. He was also the Senior High Tyger Athletic ticket manager for many years under Athletic Directors Bill Flanagan and Dick Henry.
He was a member of the Sons of Herman and a charter member of the Madison Twp. Lions Club, where he served in 1983 as Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer. He received various attendance awards, the Lion of the Year award, and the Melvin Jones Fellowship award. He was a member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, having served on the School Board, the building and properties committee, as a Eucharist Minister, and helping with funeral luncheons and on the church festival committee. His strong desire for serving others was always very evident in all that he did. He loved his family very much and will be greatly missed by them all.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marlene (Kalbfleisch) Groff; three daughters, Gail (Ray) Over of Alden, New York, Pamela (John) Ewalt of Gallaway, and Kim (Scott) Musgrove of Mansfield; step-daughter, Brenda French of Palm Beach Coast, Florida; three step-sons, Paul Louden of Galion, Larry Louden of Columbus, and Ronald A. Louden of Eddystone, Pennsylvania; eleven grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister, Judith Heimberger of Mansfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet (Smith) Groff and his parents.
Calling hours will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 18, 2013 at Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, LTD., 1106 Park Avenue East (St. Rt. 430E), Mansfield. A vigil service will follow at 5:00 p.m. with Deacon Al Kopp officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 19, 2013 at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church, 1630 Ashland Road, Mansfield with Father Nelson Beaver, Celebrant. Burial will follow in Windsor Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church or to the Madison Twp. Lions Club.
Online condolences may be made at www.wernergompf.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal. God bless all of your family, Marlene.
Gary and Jane McKean
Jane McKean
August 20, 2013
Our neighborhood on the lake will never be the same without Dick...
August 20, 2013
Mr. Groff made a profound impression on me as one of his students. I was in his shorthand classes and he made learning shorthand fun. Years later, I, too, taught business courses and modeled my shorthand class after his style of teaching. May God bless his family and provide the peace and comfort they need, knowing that their loved one contributed greatly to the lives of so many of his students.
Karen Sue (Bauer) Foss
August 20, 2013
Marlene & Family ~
My heart goes out to you and your family. I have many fond memories of your dear husband @ Mans. Sr. High. May he rest in peace in God's loving arms. ((Hugs)) & prayers to you all.
Dana Haag
August 20, 2013
Grandpa,
May you rest in peace. You were an amazing grandfather! I love you and will miss your beautiful smile!
Michelle & David Hoffman
August 19, 2013
A more kinder fellow, I've never met. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to Marlene and the family.
David Brenneis
August 19, 2013
Marlene, I'm so sorry. I just heard this morning. My love and prayers are with you. Patti Kleshinski
August 19, 2013
Mrs. Goff: I am so sorry for your family's loss. Mr. Goff was my favorite teacher. He was such a wonderful person. I enjoyed catching up with him again at the campgrounds and at soccer games while he worked in the "lion's food trailer". I will truly miss seeing his smiling face.
Dana (Violet)Hobart
August 19, 2013
Marlene ,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry about this unexpected loss for you and your family!
You both were always great neighbors to have!
He will be missed by many!
Steve & Lynn Reed
August 19, 2013
Marlene, we're so sorry to hear about Dick. Our prayers our with you and your family. ~The Meekers~
Melissa Meeker
August 18, 2013
Kim and Family-My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I know what a special dad you had and how much he meant to you all.
Love, Tabbi Clark and Family
Tabbi Clark
August 18, 2013
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Marlene and the Groff family. In the relatively short time we have known Dick, he became a treasured friend and next door neighbor at the lake. We came to depend on him for all kinds of things lake-related, and he was always there for us. We will miss him terribly.
Gary and Jayne Black
August 18, 2013
Will be missed by all
Jim & Mary
August 18, 2013
I love you Dad !!! May you rest in peace. Love, Gail and Ray
August 18, 2013
My deepest condolences to his family during this time of sorrow.
Yvette Tipsword
August 17, 2013
Marlene and family, please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of Richard. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda McKenna
August 17, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the family. God bless.
Mary Ann Gibson
August 17, 2013
WAYNE AND I WERE DEVASTATED TO HEAR ABOUT RICHARD. WAYNE AND RICHARD WERE BEST FRIENDS SINCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. WE SEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO MARLENE AND THE FAMILY. RICHARD AND MARLENE WERE A SPECIAL COUPLE AND RICHARD WILL BE TRULY MISSED BY EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
GOD BLESS, DORA AND WAYNE
DORA FLUKE
August 17, 2013
Heartfelt symphathy to the Groff family may you find peace and comfort in this time of sorrow. Mr. Groff was my favorite teacher during my Jr-Sr years at Mansfield Sr.High school. I'll never forget the field trips to Keenland Racetrack, and the IBM plant in Kentucky.
LaTanya Colvin-Hardeman
August 17, 2013
Dear Marlene & Family:
Very sorry for your loss of Dick. May God bless you and surround you with comfort, support & love during this time. With our prayers & deepest sympathy, Richard & Patti (Robertson) Jacobs
August 17, 2013
Marlene and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Dick was a joy to work with and we both respected him very much. We remember fondly the times we all spend together. He will be missed.
Roger and Henrietta Holbrook
August 17, 2013
My smypathy goes out to Richard's wife and loved ones. Richard was a school mate of mine and was always known as a kind and caring person. He will surely be missed by all who knew him.
Loretta McDaniel
August 17, 2013
Marlene, Kim and families - My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your cherished memories of your husband, father and grandpa.
Barb Hummel
August 17, 2013
we miss you dad you were the greatest dad and grandpa love ya kim and pam and gail
August 17, 2013
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