Eugene G. Groff, age 83, of Chesterton, IN passed away at his home on Saturday September 19, 2009.

“Gene” was born in Chesterton on July 29, 1926 to Felix and Phyllis (Wiseman) Groff, both of whom preceded him in death.

On May 15, 1954 in Valparaiso, IN he married Betty L. Johnson, who preceded him in death in 1996.

Gene is survived by sons; Michael Groff of Chesterton and Cary Groff of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; daughter Jamie (Mark) Cunningham of Valparaiso; brother Ronald (Shelly) Groff of Chesterton; sisters; Patricia (Jeffrey) Johnson of Chesterton and JoAnne Marcoff of Hobart; grandchildren, Lindsay Violanti and Jessica (Drew Cybak) Violanti; great-grandchildren Jacob and Joshua Hamilton and Lily Cybak.

He was also preceded in death by a son Thomas in 2009, brothers, Robert and Richard and sisters, Maxine Meade and Barbara Whitton.

Gene worked as a mail carrier/clerk at the Chesterton Post Office retiring in 1990. He also repaired sewing machines and was a member of the Chesterton American Legion Post 170 and St. Patrick Catholic Church. Gene served in the U.S. Navy during WWII where he was stationed in the South Pacific. He was a devoted father and constant caregiver to his son, Thomas.

A Mass of Christian Burial, Fr. Lawrence Heeg officiating, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 638 N. Calumet Road, Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, with a Legion service at 7 p.m. and a wake service at 7:30 p.m. at the Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton.

www.EE-FH.com

Posted 9/21/2009