Don Groves

DON C. GROVES, 87, died at 6:40 p.m. January 1, 2005, at St. Rita's Medical Center. He was born July 15, 1917, in Celina, Ohio to Simeon and Margaret (Keller) Groves, and they preceded him in death. He married Sue Kempf on June 27, 1975, and she survives. Mr. Groves was a charter member of St. Charles Catholic Church. He was a member of Elks Lodge 54 in Lima, Ohio. He had been the manager of the downtown Lima Kewpee during World War II. He owned and operated four restaurants in south Lima during the 1950s, '60s and '70s, including the D&J Dinette on the corner of Main and Kibby, The Dinette on Main and Vine, the Dinette on Metcalf and Vine and the Dog & Suds on North Shore Drive and Pierce. During the 1970s, he sold commercial trucks at Timmerman Ford. In 1978, he and his wife started Groves Bears in Lima, Ohio, which is still in business today in Bluffton, Ohio. Survivors also include his wife's three daughters, Victoria Cabot of Phoenix, Arizona, Robin Wilch of Lima, Ohio and Penny (Danny) McGinn of Phoenix, Arizona; his wife's granddaughter, Dallas Dunn of Phoenix, Arizona; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Roy Groves; and four sisters, Blanche Hay, May Groves, Bertha Keller and Beulah Crumrine. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Charles Catholic Church. Burial will be in Gethsemani Cemetery in Lima, Ohio. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home where a parish wake service will be at 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to West Ohio Food Bank or the charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at chamberlainhuckeriede.com.