Christopher Michael Groves

Christopher Michael Groves, age 55, passed away at The James Cancer Hospital on April 8, 2025. Chris was born to the late Harold R. Groves and Tressa (Downing) and Ron Constance of Mansfield on October 3, 1969 in Bucyrus, Ohio. Chris is preceded in death by his father and both maternal and paternal grandparents Claude Groves and Daisy (Hewitt) and Lloyd Downing and Betty (Noblit). He is also survived by his in laws Jim and Peggy Gearhart.

Chris is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Nelson) and beloved daughter Machayla Groves and “adopted” daughter Katharine Brodzeller. He is also survived by sisters, Alicia Zachman, Debbie Nelson, Beth (Brent) Planck; brothers Rob Nelson and Brandon Geiger as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed the company of his three cats Missy, Loki and Finn.

Chris was the person running into danger while others ran away. He is a former Richland County Sherrif’s Officer, former volunteer firefighter for the Willard and Attica fire departments and currently employed as a security officer for Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He loved his job and the people he worked with. He continued working through his illness until his last hospitalization. Nationwide made him an honorary sergeant and is retiring his badge number 7.

Be like Chris and "Try harder!"

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 12th at 12 noon in the Munz-Pirnstill Funeral Home with Pastor Denny Nezrick officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. They are also asking for people to wear their Team Groves shirts, if they have them, to honor the fight. Memorial contributions can be made out to St. Jude’s’s Children’s Hospital. Expressions of sympathy can be left at www.munzpirnstill.com