Fred Haven Groth (59) of Wheeler

Fred Haven Groth, 59, of Wheeler, Illinois, passed away Friday, November 8, 2019 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheeler with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois, or St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wheeler. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Fred was born on July 1, 1960, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Frank Henry and Dawn Delite (Miller) Groth Jr. Fred graduated from Dieterich High School in 1978. He worked at South Central F.S. for 39 years, retiring as head of the Seed Department. Fred was an Illini, St Louis Cardinals, and Dallas Cowboys fan. He enjoyed playing softball for many years, sitting around the fire, listening to his friends’ children’s football games, and deer hunting and camp. Fred also participated in the Shriners golf tournament for many years and helped with the Right to Life breakfast. One special memory was his excitement to go down South to see the eclipse. Fred was a true friend and never met a stranger, especially a farmer.

Fred is survived by his sister, Rebecca (Kevin) Williams Sr. of Watson; nephew, Kevin Williams Jr. (special friend, Marlena McCoy) of Watson; and aunt, Ruth Groth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Walter and Geneva Miller, and Frank and Augusta Groth Sr.; and aunts and uncles, John (Anita) Groth, Evelyn Joyce (Kenneth) Moeller, and Edward Groth.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of HSHS Hospice Southern Illinois and the 5th floor nursing staff at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.