Donald Dean Grove (86) of Peotone

Donald Dean Grove, age 86, of Peotone, IL, passed away on Sunday April 21st, 2024, in Bourbonnais, IL. 

Donald was born July 15th, 1937, in a farmhouse in Mode, IL to parents Durward and Helen Grove. He grew up a farmer with his large family of eight sisters and two brothers. Donald joined the Army in 1955 where he served two years, nine months, and four days, last stationed at a Nike missile base near Washington, DC. Soon after the Army, Donald met Betty Jane Wit on a blind date, and they were married on November 17th, 1962. Donald worked in the corrugated paper industry for over fifty years introducing his son Michael to the industry where he works to this day.

He was a devoted gardener, planting all varieties of vegetables, pumpkins, gourds, broom corn, color corn, and most of all, his beloved popcorn. He also loved to plant trees and flowers and loved watching everything grow. He was also an avid reader of newspapers, often clipping out articles for others to enjoy. 

Donald is survived by his wife Betty Jane (Witt) Grove; son Michael (Laurie) Grove; grandchildren Michelle (Ryan) Prosser, Jessica (Lucas) Hoy; great grandchildren Rhylee, Rory, and Zoey; brothers and sisters Joseph (Judy) Grove, Walter Grove, Marie (late Warren) Hardt, Sandra (late Bob) Lee, Dorothy (Al) Demetzensky, Linda Grove, Josephine Smith, Mary Jane (John) Waters, Francie (late Gary) Rahe, Nancy (late Jackie) Wilson. Don was also a fond uncle to many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. Don called his grandkids “chipmunks”, because they would get into his peanuts.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm Friday, April 26th, 2024, at Fedde-Helfrich-Cross Funeral Home in Peotone, IL with a funeral service held at 7:00 p.m., Rev. Terry Krouskoupf officiating.  Due to the ongoing road construction, Main Street will be closed to traffic.  The sidewalks in front of the funeral home will be open and access may be made through the front door.  Additional parking will be available in the parking lot of Christ Community Church, 103 W. Corning Ave., Peotone, IL.  Entrance then can be made through the back door of the funeral home.   A graveside service with military honors will take place at Stewardson Cemetery in Stewardson, IL on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.   In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice in the name of Donald Grove.   

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