Bruce Dunshee Groharing

Bruce Dunshee Groharing age 104, of Thomson, Illinois, p assed away peacefully Thursday, November 23, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family, Visitation will be 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Thomson United Methodist Church on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Masonic rites will be afforded at 3 pm. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Thomson United Methodist Church in Thomson. Burial will be at the Dunshee Cemetery (Lower York Cemetery) Thomson.

Bruce was born October 5, 1913 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Robert and Adeline L. (Dunshee) Groharing He attended York Community High School in Thomson and graduated with the Class of 1931. He also attended one year at Morgan Park Military Academy in Chicago, Illinois. In his youth, he worked with various area farmers. He worked in Thomson supplying blocks of ice to the community before electric refrigeration was available. At age 19 he began working in Morrison IL. at Midwest Stamping & Enameling, an ice box manufacturing company. He transferred with the company to Galesburg Illinois. He met the love of his life Alice Marie Mayhall in Galesburg, they were married June 2, 1938.

They moved to Thomson in 1939, following the death of his father. Bruce managed the three family farms until he retired in 1990. He drove Thomson School Bus for 25 years and made many lifelong friends.

His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Over his long-life Bruce enjoyed many activities and organizations. They were: Masonic Lodge (66 years), Eastern Star (65 years), Carroll County Farm Bureau, Carroll County Pomona Grange, and Village of Thomson Board. Activities included were: Thomson Fire Department volunteer (50 years), Melon Days Committee numerous years, and participated in many Thomson community plays in the 1950’s at the York Community High School.

Bruce loved sports. As a young man he played on the Thomson Melon Tossers baseball team. He enjoyed attending his children’s sporting events. Bruce bowled f or over 40 years in various leagues in the area. Both he and Alice played golf for many years. B y the time he retired from playing golf at age 95, he had achieved three holes-in-one. He enjoyed being the official basketball scorekeeper for many years, and singing in mixed, and men’s quartet at a number of events. His favorite sport’s teams were the Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, and the Clinton Lumber King’s.

Bruce enjoyed going to Dusty's Restaurant in Thomson where he received 5-star treatment. He was known as the town historian.

Bruce is survived by his five children, Bernard (Nadine) Groharing of O’Fallon, Missouri, Richard (Samantha) Groharing of Thomson, Bruce “Donald” (JaneAnn) Groharing of Thomson, Lee (Sue) Groharing of New Lennox, Illinois, Jeanne (Jerry) M oshure of Fulton, Illinois. 32 grandchildren; 79 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice; sister, Prudence Brookstra; two half-sisters, Bess Carpenter, Pherna Dresbach; and two grandsons, Jon Bernard (Bernard) and Christopher Lee (Lee).

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the Thomson State Bank in Bruce’s name.

Send memorials to: Thomson State Bank 2006 IL. Rt. 84, Thomson IL. 61265