Loy Luster Groff

Biography Loy Luster Groff, 96, passed away on August 10,2013 at the United Methodist Village North Campus in Lawrenceville where he resided since June of 2011. Loy was born on March 21, 1917, in Lawrence County, Illinois to Jesse Hyatt Groff and Anna Belle (Madden ) Groff. He married Helen Naomi (Fornshell) Groff on April 2, 1939, they recently celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary, and she survives. Loy was an oil gauger in southern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. He retired after 38 years with Standard Oil, which was renamed Sohio, and then finally become known as British Petroleum. He was an independent oil producer. He owned and operated an antique store. Loy belonged to the Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church. He was a 60 year member of Edward Dobbins Masonic Lodge # 164 where he served for many years as treasurer. Loy belonged to the Lawrence County Shrine Club and took special interest in activities that supported the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. He was an active member of the Lawrence county Republicans and was a precinct committeeman. He could be counted on to not only serve various committees, but also to provide leadership and was even known to assist with writing grants for community projects. Loy was an avid reader and devoted countless hours reading and researching information found in newspapers, magazines, and books. Until a few months ago, he was reading five newspapers from cover to cover on a daily basis. People who came in contact with Loy could not help but notice what a vast array of knowledge he possessed. Loy enjoyed attending land, machinery, automobile, and antique auctions. Some of his other interests included farming, gardening, woodworking, and restoring antiques. He and Helen traveled abroad and throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Loy was preceded in death by his parents, daughter; Sharon Sue (Groff) Link; son, Leonard Ray Groff; two brothers: Wayne Groff and Leland Groff; and two sisters: Carrie Mae (Groff) Bail, and Norma Jean (Groff) Feutz. Loy is survived by his wife, Helen Naomi (Fornshell) Groff. Other survivors include son-in-law, Edward A. Link, of Scottsdale, Arizona; granddaughter, Kimberly Sue(Timothy) Link-Baas of North Stonington, Connecticut; grandson, Douglas Edward (Michelle) Link of Topsfield, Massachusetts; step great grandson, Zander Baas, North Stonington, Connecticut; brother, Jack D. (Judy) Groff, Evansville, Indiana; sister-in-law, Freda Black of Lawrenceville, Illinois and several nieces and nephews. Graveside Services for Loy will be Tuesday, August 13,2013 at 10:30 A.M.at the Lawrenceville City Cemetery. No public visitation.