John E. Groff

JOHN E. GROFF

John E. Groff, of East Hempfield Township, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2014, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, PA, surrounded by his family.

Born on February 24, 1928, he was the son of the late Elmer and Anna (Ebersole) Groff. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley (Knarr) Groff; a sister, Ann Fetter, of Elizabethtown, PA (wife of Werner Z. Fetter); three nieces – Marian (wife of Mark E. Kleinfelter), Mary (wife of Peter Strang), Margaret (wife of David Good); three great nephews; and his beloved four-legged companion, “BJ.” His brother, Frank Groff, preceded him in death in 1972.

A graduate of Elizabethtown Area High School, he was retired from the Hershey Chocolate Company Maintenance Department after over 30 years of service. An avid gardener, American history buff, and lifelong member of the NRA, John loved to fly. Earning a pilot’s license, he and his father took to the sky and for several years, traveled the East Coast in their own plane. He and his wife also traveled extensively.

Mr. Groff requested that his funeral services and burial be private. Arrangements are under the care of the Miller-Sekely Funeral Home and Crematory of Elizabethtown. www.millerfuneralhome.com.

Contributions in memory of John may be made to the Hospice and Community Care of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.