642. Donald Grobbel
Age 78 years, Don died suddenly at his home Wednesday, March 28, 2012. He was born to John B. and Mary (Delamielleure) Grobbel on December 14, 1933 in Centerline and resided in Akron four years before moving to Essexville for 30 years. For the past 19 years he has lived in Bay City. During the Korean War, he honorably served our country in the U.S. Navy (Seabees). Don’s elementary and high school education was at S.S. Peter & Paul Academy in Ionia. In 1959, he received his B.S. degree from C.M.U. and was awarded his M.A. degree in 1966 from M.S.U. Don was a guidance counselor and educator in the Essexville-Hampton Public School System for 35 years, retiring in June of 1994.
He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Essexville; Essexville-Hampton Lions Club (past president); Knights of Columbus Fr. VanRooy Council #2740; City of Essexville commissioner (1973-75) and mayor (1975-77). He was also a member of B.A.R.S.P, M.A.R..S.P., M.S.U. Alumni, and C.M.U. Alumni.
On August 24, 1957, Don was united in marriage to Winifred J. North in St. Phillip Neri Church, Reed City. “Win” survives him, along withtheir children, Gregory (Donna) Grobbel, Christopher Grobbel, and Patrick Grobbel (Yvonne McIntyre); Robert, Evangeline and Gillian, Amaliaand Xavier; his sister, Judie (William) Hudson; two sisters-in-law, Mary and Sharon Grobbel; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three brothers, George, John,and Robert Grobbel.
The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Monday, April 2, 2012 at 11:00AM in St. John the Evangelist Church, Pine and Hudson Streets, Essexville. Don will lie in state in the church chapel Monday after 10:00 AM. Rev. Ricky M. Varner will preside, with Military Rites by the Bay County Veterans Council. Cremation will take place and interment of his cremains will be in Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, MI. Memorial contributions may be directed to “family wishes” (for a scholarship in Don’s name at a later date). Visiting hours are Sunday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the E-H Lions Club Memorial Service at 6:45 PM, K.of C. #2740 Resolution of Condolence & Bible Presentation and Vigil Service at 7:00 PM in the W. A. Trahan Funeral Chapel & Prearrangement Center.
Birth: December 14th, 1933
Death: March 28th, 2012
Age: 78 years
Residence: Bay City
Previous Residence(s): Essexville
Survived By: On August 24, 1957, Don was united in marriage to Winifred J. North in St. Phillip Neri Church, Reed City. "Win" survives him, along with their children, Gregory (Donna) Grobbel, Christopher Grobbel, and Patrick Grobbel (Yvonne McIntyre); Robert, Evangeline and Gillian, Amalia and Xavier; his sister, Judie (William) Hudson; two sisters-in-law, Mary and Sharon Grobbel; as well as many nieces and nephews
Affiliations: He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Essexville; Essexville-Hampton Lions Club (past president); Knights of Columbus Fr. VanRooy Council #2740; City of Essexville commissioner (1973-75) and mayor (1975-77). He was also a member of B.A.R.S.P, M.A.R..S.P., M.S.U. Alumni, and C.M.U. Alumni.Served In: Navy