Alvin E. Groenke, age 78, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Normal and Peoria, Ill., passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Trinity Hospital in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1932, in Mayer, Minn., to Robert and Anna Groenke.
He attended Norwood-Young America Central High School in Young America, Minn.
Alvin enlisted in the Hutchinson National Guard, Company B, 682nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and the 47th Viking Division, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. His unit was activated Jan. 16, 1951, and deployed to Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 635 and VFW Post 454 of Bloomington, Ill., and proudly served as a member of the honor guard.
He was a superintendent for Super Value Distribution Centers in several states and also worked for Nestle Beich Candy Company in Bloomington, Ill. He retired in 1997.
Gardening became his passion, as he was known as the "Tomato Man" in his neighborhood. Dog sitting became his second career, caring for dogs, Abby and Mac on a daily basis.
In 2009, Alvin moved to the Senior Star Home in Bettendorf, Iowa, where his daughter, Stacy, cared for him. He became best friends with the service dog, Amber, and liked to sneak him treats. He also enjoyed outings to the dog park, Whitey's Ice Cream and Maid-Rite.
His passing is mourned by many, including Darlene Gillett, the mother of his children; two daughters, Bonita Caldwell (Bruce) of Bedford, Texas, and Stacy Zimmerman (Robert) of Bettendorf, Iowa; one son, Scott Groenke of Peoria, Ill.; sisters, Delores Beiersdorf, Dorothy Earhardt (Kenneth) and Marcella Hall (Richard); brothers, Robert Groenke (Deanna) and Eugene Groenke (Bonnie), all of Minnesota, and Ronald Groenke (Vergeane) of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held in East Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel (not funeral home), 1002 Airport Road in Bloomington, Ill. Military honors, a 21-gun salute, will be accorded at his memorial service.
Full obit in the Peoria Journal Star - June 18, 2010.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1932, in Mayer, Minn., to Robert and Anna Groenke.
He attended Norwood-Young America Central High School in Young America, Minn.
Alvin enlisted in the Hutchinson National Guard, Company B, 682nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and the 47th Viking Division, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. His unit was activated Jan. 16, 1951, and deployed to Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 635 and VFW Post 454 of Bloomington, Ill., and proudly served as a member of the honor guard.
He was a superintendent for Super Value Distribution Centers in several states and also worked for Nestle Beich Candy Company in Bloomington, Ill. He retired in 1997.
Gardening became his passion, as he was known as the "Tomato Man" in his neighborhood. Dog sitting became his second career, caring for dogs, Abby and Mac on a daily basis.
In 2009, Alvin moved to the Senior Star Home in Bettendorf, Iowa, where his daughter, Stacy, cared for him. He became best friends with the service dog, Amber, and liked to sneak him treats. He also enjoyed outings to the dog park, Whitey's Ice Cream and Maid-Rite.
His passing is mourned by many, including Darlene Gillett, the mother of his children; two daughters, Bonita Caldwell (Bruce) of Bedford, Texas, and Stacy Zimmerman (Robert) of Bettendorf, Iowa; one son, Scott Groenke of Peoria, Ill.; sisters, Delores Beiersdorf, Dorothy Earhardt (Kenneth) and Marcella Hall (Richard); brothers, Robert Groenke (Deanna) and Eugene Groenke (Bonnie), all of Minnesota, and Ronald Groenke (Vergeane) of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held in East Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel (not funeral home), 1002 Airport Road in Bloomington, Ill. Military honors, a 21-gun salute, will be accorded at his memorial service.
Full obit in the Peoria Journal Star - June 18, 2010.
Alvin E. Groenke, age 78, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of Normal and Peoria, Ill., passed away Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at Trinity Hospital in Bettendorf, Iowa.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1932, in Mayer, Minn., to Robert and Anna Groenke.
He attended Norwood-Young America Central High School in Young America, Minn.
Alvin enlisted in the Hutchinson National Guard, Company B, 682nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and the 47th Viking Division, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. His unit was activated Jan. 16, 1951, and deployed to Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 635 and VFW Post 454 of Bloomington, Ill., and proudly served as a member of the honor guard.
He was a superintendent for Super Value Distribution Centers in several states and also worked for Nestle Beich Candy Company in Bloomington, Ill. He retired in 1997.
Gardening became his passion, as he was known as the "Tomato Man" in his neighborhood. Dog sitting became his second career, caring for dogs, Abby and Mac on a daily basis.
In 2009, Alvin moved to the Senior Star Home in Bettendorf, Iowa, where his daughter, Stacy, cared for him. He became best friends with the service dog, Amber, and liked to sneak him treats. He also enjoyed outings to the dog park, Whitey's Ice Cream and Maid-Rite.
His passing is mourned by many, including Darlene Gillett, the mother of his children; two daughters, Bonita Caldwell (Bruce) of Bedford, Texas, and Stacy Zimmerman (Robert) of Bettendorf, Iowa; one son, Scott Groenke of Peoria, Ill.; sisters, Delores Beiersdorf, Dorothy Earhardt (Kenneth) and Marcella Hall (Richard); brothers, Robert Groenke (Deanna) and Eugene Groenke (Bonnie), all of Minnesota, and Ronald Groenke (Vergeane) of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held in East Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel (not funeral home), 1002 Airport Road in Bloomington, Ill. Military honors, a 21-gun salute, will be accorded at his memorial service.
Full obit in the Peoria Journal Star - June 18, 2010.
He was born on Feb. 23, 1932, in Mayer, Minn., to Robert and Anna Groenke.
He attended Norwood-Young America Central High School in Young America, Minn.
Alvin enlisted in the Hutchinson National Guard, Company B, 682nd Combat Engineer Battalion, and the 47th Viking Division, where he achieved the rank of sergeant. His unit was activated Jan. 16, 1951, and deployed to Korea. He was a member of the American Legion Post 635 and VFW Post 454 of Bloomington, Ill., and proudly served as a member of the honor guard.
He was a superintendent for Super Value Distribution Centers in several states and also worked for Nestle Beich Candy Company in Bloomington, Ill. He retired in 1997.
Gardening became his passion, as he was known as the "Tomato Man" in his neighborhood. Dog sitting became his second career, caring for dogs, Abby and Mac on a daily basis.
In 2009, Alvin moved to the Senior Star Home in Bettendorf, Iowa, where his daughter, Stacy, cared for him. He became best friends with the service dog, Amber, and liked to sneak him treats. He also enjoyed outings to the dog park, Whitey's Ice Cream and Maid-Rite.
His passing is mourned by many, including Darlene Gillett, the mother of his children; two daughters, Bonita Caldwell (Bruce) of Bedford, Texas, and Stacy Zimmerman (Robert) of Bettendorf, Iowa; one son, Scott Groenke of Peoria, Ill.; sisters, Delores Beiersdorf, Dorothy Earhardt (Kenneth) and Marcella Hall (Richard); brothers, Robert Groenke (Deanna) and Eugene Groenke (Bonnie), all of Minnesota, and Ronald Groenke (Vergeane) of Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held in East Lawn Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel (not funeral home), 1002 Airport Road in Bloomington, Ill. Military honors, a 21-gun salute, will be accorded at his memorial service.
Full obit in the Peoria Journal Star - June 18, 2010.
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