Fred F. Groves

Fred graduated from Mansfield High School, OH and Northwestern University playing football under Ara Parseghian of Notre Dame coaching fame. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Meeting his wife Nanette at Northwestern their family was invited to Bloomington in 1964 by his in-laws Wilbur and Edyth Rusk to manage and expand their DX service station at the corner of Olive and Main. The Rusks formerly owned a Dodge dealership across the street from the DX which currently is the home of the McLean County Jail extension. In 1968 the Rusk Service Center became the Fred Groves Service Center. Fred served the community in that location (along with Oldies But Goodies car rental) until he retired in 2019. He married Sandra Kelso Little on July 12, 2003.

Young Men’s Club was a special part of his life for over 50 years where he served twice as President. He was a member of the Bloomington Masonic Lodge (32ndo) and served as President for McLean County Mohammed Shriners. With his boys he coached Tiger football and enjoyed Indian Guides with the YMCA. Fred’s loves were his family, his friends, and canoeing, fishing, off road motor biking, and skiing with them.

A special thank you for the loving care by the Carle Hospice staff, Synergy Homecare and for Second Presbyterian Church which provided him spiritual support throughout his time in Bloomington-Normal.

He is survived by his wife Sandra Groves of Normal, three sons and a stepdaughter: Rick (Kriz) Groves of Renton, WA, Ted (Jane Cuthbertson) Groves of Belchertown, MA; Steven (Laurie) Groves of Orlando, FL; and Caroline (Rich) Swartwood of Murfreesboro, TN; a brother Harland L. (Joan) Groves of Mansfield OH; eight grandchildren: Tiffany Groves, Jay Groves, Henry Groves, Will Groves, Hannah Groves, Ryan Swartwood, Caitlyn Swartwood, and Eric Swartwood; five great-grandchildren: Lexie Roberts, Natalie Groves, Maci Johnson,, Quincy Johnson and Emma Groves; two great-great-grandchildren Julian Williams and Jamir Williams; and three nieces: Jenny Groves, Connie Groves, and Alison Kelso; and two nephews: Brady Groves and David Ashcraft.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Nanette Rusk Groves in April, 2001.

A Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2024 at Second Presbyterian Church 404 North Prairie Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are handled through East Lawn Funeral Home.