Donald L. Grove

METAMORA...Donald L. Grove, 82, of Metamora, passed away at 6:15 a.m., Thursday, December 22, 2011 at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. Don was born on July 16, 1929 in Woodford County to Orville and Freida Esch Grove. He married Carol Mitman in Washington on September 10, 1966. Carol survives. Also surviving are three children, Keith (Marnie) Grove of Washington and Susan Grove and Clint Grove, both of Metamora: two very special loving grandchildren, Benjamin and Katherine Grove and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his step-mother, Eva Grove; one brother, Harold Grove and one sister, Berniece Ehling. Don had been a lifelong Woodford County grain and livestock farmer. He was one of the first to breed Charolais cattle in Illinois. He was a Korean War Veteran serving in the U. S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955, part of that time serving on Okinawa. Following active duty Don served four more years in the Air Force Reserves. Don was a graduate of Metamora Township High School in the class of 1947. He was a member of the American International Charolais Association and had served as president of the Illinois Charolais Association. Don was also a past president of the Woodford County Beef Improvement Association and a member of the Farm Bureau. Don loved farming and working with and showing cattle. In his spare time enjoyed woodworking and spending time with Ben and Katie. He will always be remembered for loving a good joke and that a dessert always tastes better with ice cream. He had been a longtime member of Calvary Mennonite Church in Washington where he had served on the church council, as church trustee and also an usher. Don was a member of New Castle Bible Church, rural Mackinaw, where funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Phil Somers and Pastor Troy Willey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the U. S. Air Force. Visitation will be on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington and from 9:30 to 10:15 at the church on Tuesday. Memorials for Don may be directed to either the New Castle Bible Church building fund or Woodford County Beef Improvement Assn.