Harold Grassmyer

MACOMB - Harold W. Grassmyer, age 86, a resident of the Elms Nursing Home in Macomb, passed away at 6:40 a.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at the nursing home.

He was born on May 16, 1924, in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, the son of Sylvester and Reba Grassmyer. He married Ella Marie Sturgess on April 6, 1946, in St. Louis, Missouri.

He is survived by his wife, Ella; three daughters, Sharon (William) Setser of Macomb, Christine "Tina" (Rick) Welsh of Bartonville and Patricia Semick of Macomb; three grandchildren, Dawn Pankey (Chad) Grainger of Denver, Iowa, Ginger Pankey (Stu) Westen of Sugar Grove, Illinois, and Sherry Pankey (Scott) Whitsitt of Suwanee, Ga.; seven great-grandchildren, Grant, Martee and Paige Grainger, Breeden Jones, Zoey Westen and Colette and Callen Whitsitt.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Harold played football and graduated from high school in Hollidaysburg, Pa.

After high school, Harold worked for one year as an aircraft mechanic and then was drafted into the Army Air Corps, where he served in World War II from 1943 to 1946 as a radio mechanic AACS, setting up communication stations where needed, some in the Philippines and in Japan. He was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal and he earned the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon and WWII Victory Medal.

From the time of his discharge from the service and until his retirement in 1989, Harold worked in the auto parts industry, first as a salesman, then a manager and then a buyer.

He and Ella began their marriage in St. Louis, Mo., but moved to Peoria, Ill., in 1952, moving to Bartonville, Ill., in 1959, where their girls completed their high school years at Limestone Community High School.

Harold and Ella moved to Farmington in 1979 and then to Macomb, Ill., to live with their daughter, Patti in 1997.

Harold was a good and proud husband and father and was dearly loved by his family.

He enjoyed fishing, especially in Wisconsin, where he taught his daughters the finer points of the sport.

He enjoyed many family pets over the years, both cats and dogs.

Harold enjoyed collecting antique car cast models and had an impressive display of them.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb. The Rev. Donnie Case will officiate. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Macomb. The family will meet with friends one hour before the time of service at the funeral home.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elms Nursing Home, MDH Hospice Program or Maple Avenue Christian Church in Macomb.

You may sign the guest book and leave online condolences at clugston-tibbittsfh.com.