Leo Grove's Obituary
Leo Grove, age 91, was born on March 7, 1922 and went home to the Lord on April 28, 2013. He grew up in Salem, OH, with his six brothers and sisters. His seventh and oldest brother, Victor, was born in Romania and stayed there his entire life. Leo and his family had the opportunity to meet Victor in 1976 when he came to the United States for the first time and visited Alliance. From the stories his family has been told through the years, Leo was an ornery boy who always found ways to get into trouble. He was a great storyteller and loved to tell his daughters of his experiences growing up. Leo went on to serve his country in the Navy, building homes for the officers in Jacksonville, FL. He married Betty Pomper on Feb. 15, 1941 and settled in Alliance, where he and Betty lived their entire lives. Anyone who knew him would agree that Leo was always in control of his own life. That was his personality. But there was also a softer, kinder side of him that not everyone saw. He loved his family and appreciated what they did for him. He was a driven man who loved his work. As a carpenter, Leo took pride in his profession and the homes he built. He also loved gardening and canning the vegetables he grew, cooking, and working in his yard. It wasn't uncommon for him to work until dusk mowing, trimming, weeding, puttering around in the garage, feeding the birds, and sitting under the tree. He was a member of the Masonic Temple, Conrad Lodge, the Alliance Shrine Club, the American Legion, and the Marlboro Lions Club. Leo was preceded in death by his parents, Petru and Eufrosina (Padurean) Grovu; wife, Betty; an infant daughter; brothers and sisters, Victor Grovu, Anna Dan, George Grove, Louise Kolesar, Mary Profeta, and Gus Grove; and great-great grandson, Aiden. He is survived by his sister, Helen Mitchell of Riverside, CA; four daughters, Nancy Hayes of Austin, TX, Sandi (Jim) Kennedy and Bobbi (Jim) Sabin of Alliance, and Joyce (Steve) Ferrari of Navarre; grandchildren, Tami Vanderwilt, David Ellis, Lisa Ellis, Brandt (Amy) Kennedy, Shannon Kennedy, Marni Sabin, Scott Sabin, and Jason Ferrari; and seven great grandchildren, Rhiannon, Ethan, Jeremy and Toby Vanderwilt; Keely, Cameron, and Alayna Kennedy. The family is honoring his wishes with a private service. Arrangements are by the Sharer-Stirling-Skivolocke Funeral Home, 1000 S. Union Avenue, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
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