Wayne R. "Windy" DeGroff

WAYNE R. DeGROFF "Windy" Chesterton, Indiana Wayne R. DeGroff, age 90, passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2007, at the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Wayne was born September 11, 1916, in Montpelier, Ohio, moving to Wauseon as a toddler. He married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy, on November 20, 1941 on Roosevelt's Thanksgiving and they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in 2006. Wayne worked for Sinclair Oil Company, later purchased by Atlantic Richfield Company, and retired in July 1976. He worked for the Duneland School Corporation for 19 years, retiring in 1995. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Chesterton, and a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Chesterton Moose Lodge No. 1623, and was an avid bowler and sports fan. Wayne was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He lived a full, happy life and all who knew and loved him will miss his wonderful sense of humor. Wayne is survived by his wife of 65 years, Dorothy; one son: Douglas DeGroff of Chesterton; three daughters: Deborah Fieffer of Valparaiso, Darla (Roland) Lickus of Naperville, IL, Dawn (Stephen) Heckard of Valparaiso; eight grandchildren: Melinda White, Thomas (Tracy) Fieffer II, Bruce Fieffer, Stacy (Hank) Kuypers, Megan DeGroff, Seth Heckard, Jordan Heckard, Todd Lickus; 10 great grandchildren: Ben, Ashley, Steven, Christopher, Elisha, Joshua, Bruce, Tatum, Tommy, and Allyson. The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 1, 2007 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd Street, Chesterton, IN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 2, 2007, at the funeral home with Pastor Terry C. Rhine, officiating. Burial to follow in Chesterton Cemetery. Contributions in Wayne's memory may be made to the VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso, the Physical Therapy Department of Waters of the Duneland in Chesterton, or to the First United Methodist Church in Chesterton. (219) 926-1309.