Blaine Frederick “Fred” Groharing, Morrison, IL, passed away on Wednesday, December 3, 2014. His widow, Ann, and family will hold a military graveside service in his honor, on Saturday, May 16, 2015. The service will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Grove Hill Cemetery, High Street, Morrison, IL.
Coffee and cookies immediately will follow the service until 4:00 p.m., at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison.
The following obituary was created by McDonald Funeral Home in December.
Blaine Frederick “Fritz” or “Fred” Groharing, 90, died Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at his home in Morrison, IL.
He was born on February 19, 1924, in Thomson, IL, the son of Charles and Myrta (Cobb) Groharing, and was a 1942 graduate of Thomson High School. He entered the U. S. Navy, serving proudly during World War II. During his service, he trained on the vessel NAVTRASTRA Farragat and on the USNATB Solomons, MN; he served on the USS LCI (L) 586 REC SHIP. He received the European, African, and Middle East (1 star) Service Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Victory Medal. He married Rachel Ann Humphrey on May 3, 1946, in Morrison. After his discharge from the War, he began a 42 -year career as a plasterer with his family firm, Groharing Mason Contractors and Plastering in Morrison, from which he retired. During that time he built three homes and did the plaster work at countless homes and businesses in the area. Fred was a member of Morrison United Methodist Church and the VFW. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, woodworking, sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Ann; three daughters: Susan (Larry) Baker of Urbana, IL, Debra (Bob) Vaughn of Morrison, and Judy (Ted) Deter of Morrison; his sister June Luckstead of Mission Hills, CA; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Peter Minjares) Vaughn of Chicago, IL, Molly (Kevin) Reimer of Aurora, IL, and Ben Deter of Chicago; three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Abilgail, and Olivia Reimer.
He was preceded in death by four brothers and eight sisters.
A graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL, with Pastor Ryan Sutton officiating.
The Morrison American Legion will perform military honors immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his memory to the Paralyzed Veterans of the Morrison VFW would be appreciated.