Melvin Ray DeGroff

Melvin Ray DeGroff, age 89, of Edgerton, Ohio, peacefully crossed over from this lifetime into the comforting embrace of Our Creator on Wednesday, January 7, 2009, at Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was a patient. Mr. DeGroff was a graduate of Bryan High School in Bryan, Ohio, where he was the first drum major for the high school band and returned to lead the band for several years after graduation. He entered the military, serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a aircraft mechanic stationed in England and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. DeGroff was a mechanic for several automotive garages during his career and a welder and electrician. He retired from Challenge-Cook Bros. 1982. He was a member of John D. Smith Post #10 of the Edgerton American Legion and was a life member of the American Legion. Melvin Ray DeGroff was born on December 4, 1919, in West Unity, Ohio, the son of Melvin E. and Myrtle M. (Snyder) DeGroff. His fiancee, Aldeen L. “Dee” Sarles, was serving in the Women's Army Corps and after fulfilling their military obligations, they were married on April 8, 1946, in Bryan, Ohio. She preceded him in death on June 26, 1997. Mr. DeGroff is survived by his children, Michael (Beverly) DeGroff, of Austin, Texas, Teri Vorndran, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Scott (Sharon) DeGroff, of Munford, Tennessee, six grandchildren, Kiley and Shelby (Teri’s children), Adam DeGroff (Scott’s son), Michelle, Lisa and Sean (Mike’s children), and seven great-grandchildren, Brett, Madison, Garrett and Brooke, (Michelle’s children), Siovan, Devin, and Morgan (Lisa’s children). Also surviving are nieces, Melissa (Jon) Szekely and Mary (Ray) Walsh. He was also preceded in death by an infant son, David, and one sister, Ruth Mick. Services for Melvin Ray DeGroff will be on Monday, January 12, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. in the Krill Funeral Home, Edgerton, Ohio, with Reverend R.L. Barnett officiating. Interment will follow in Floral Grove Cemetery, West Unity, Ohio, with grave side military rites conducted by John D. Smith Post #10 of the Edgerton American Legion. Visitation will be in the Krill Funeral Home, Edgerton, Ohio, from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, January 11. Memorials in the name of Melvin Ray DeGroff may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice. Ray had lived in Edgerton for the last fifty-seven years and was well liked and highly respected by all who knew him. He will be immensely missed by those who loved him.