William Anthony “Bill” Grootens
OBITUARY ON BILL GROOTENS
William Anthony “Bill” Grootens, age 82, of Illinois Veterans Home, formerly of 2622 South 31st, died on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 2:15 AM in Blessing Hospital. He was born on October 11, 1928 in East Prairie, MO the son of William & Ethel (Stricklen) Grootens. Bill married Clara E. Knight on June 12, 1949 in Piggott, Arkansas. She preceded him in death on July 13, 2002. Bill was a pharmacist and pharmacy manager for the Quincy Clinic from 1960 until his retirement. Bill then bought Zimm’s Tavern in January of 1992 and renamed it, “Mr. Bill’s”. Bill was a staff sergeant in the United States Marine Corp, serving during the Korean War. Bill was of the Catholic Faith.
Bill greatly enjoyed life. His numerous interests included hunting, motorcycles, and boating just to name a few.
He is survived by:
FIVE CHILDREN: Patricia Swank and her husband Marty of Cary, IL; Tony Grootens and his wife Heather of Franklin, IL: Kevin Grootens and his wife Debbie of Quincy, Stacy Howe and her husband David of Athens, IL; and Kurt Grootens and his girlfriend Nancy Fruehling of Quincy.
SIX GRANDCHILDREN: Ryan Swank, Hillary Sparks and her husband Joshua, Matt Grootens, Jamie Evans and her husband Zane, Jason Grootens and his wife Laura, and Jeremy Grootens.
SEVEN GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Austin, Audrey, Aden and Ava Evans, Jakob and Julia Grootens, and Samantha Swank.
In addition to his wife, Bill was also preceded in death by his parents and a sister Martha Simons.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home by Rev. Don Blickhan. Interment in Quincy Memorial Park with military rites conducted at the cemetery by American Legion Post #37. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.
WE WILL MISS YOU,BUT WILL NEVER FORGET YOU.
Bill will be missed by all that knew and loved him. He was always full of smiles! Our prayers go out to you and your family!
Debby & Joey Stark
I am so sorry to find out about your loss. Bill was a very unique and caring person. I looked up to him almost like a father. Bill knew many of my relatives. My brother, Stan Lear worked with him at the pharmacy as a delivery driver. He worked with Stan’s father-in-law Pete Williams. He will be missed but I know he is very happy to be back with Clare. They were a very loving couple. He missed her very much. I know they are with our Lord dancing the nights away. I am happy for him, yet I know how this loss weighs on all his children and grandchildren. Have faith and think of the good times you all had. They will get you through this hard time. A few tears won’t hurt either. Keep smiling as this what he loved to do is smile and laugh. Myself and my family will be keeping you all in our prayers.
To all the Grootens family,
Robby and I were so sorry to hear of Uncle Bill’s passing. We loved Uncle bill with all our heart and he will be missed. We will keep all the family in our prayers.
Love,
Robby and Denise
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all family and friends of your Father. He was a special person who positively touched many lives, and will be greatly missed.