Frank Groth

Frank Groth, 75, of Coloma, passed away, Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:30 A.M. Tuesday, March13, during National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Deacon Michael Gallagher officiating. Burial will follow at Coloma Cemetery with military rites conducted by the North Berrien Military Rites Team. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Michigan Chapter. Those wishing to sign Frank’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Frank was born January 20, 1937 in Bangor to Wheeler & Rose (Pikal) Dibble. He graduated from Hartford High School & enlisted in the US Army, stationed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. On September 30, 1961 he married Lydia Sarabia of Las Cruces, NM. After Discharge they returned to Michigan where Frank worked as an electrician at Modern Plastics, Dynac, Gast Manufacturing and Whirlpool until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1971. Frank is survived by his wife Lydia; three daughters-Deborah (Tim) Johnson and Marianne (Ray Cox) Groth of St. Joseph, Stacy (Matt) Renner of Washington D.C.; his granddaughter Kiri Groth of St. Joseph; his aunt Frances Pikal of Bangor who was his loving and faithful caregiver in the latter years of his illness; brothers Ron (Jackie) Groth of Dowagiac, William (Lisa) Dibble of San Diego, CA, Fred Hampton of Lauderhill, Florida; sisters Carole Butterfield of San Antonio, TX, Lori (Mike) Enders of Benton Harbor, Roberta Dibble of San Diego, CA; numerous cousins, nieces & nephews; and his faithful caregivers-Josie Davis & Fannea Levora. He was preceded in death by his father & step-mother Wheeler & Jewel Dibble; his mother Rose Groth, his step-father & step mother Alfred & Lillian (Hampton) Groth, & his uncle & aunt Bernard & Lillian Allen. Frank enjoyed bowling & hunting and was able to fix or repair just about anything around the house or with cars. He enjoyed driving as his daughters can undoubtedly remember the long, long, Sunday afternoon drives when they were growing up. Frank managed to maintain a good outlook on life even after his illness left him a quadriplegic and dependent on others for his care. He maintained a great sense of humor & always enjoyed a joke or funny story. He will be missed, but now he is in the House of the Lord where once again he is whole and healthy.