Ralph S. Groezinger

Ralph Sigmund Groezinger, age 94 of Elizabeth, Illinois, died on Friday, November 7, 2008 in the Elizabeth Nursing Home, Elizabeth, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2008 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Derinda, Illinois with Pastor Ann Ziegert officiating, there will be an hour visitation prior to the funeral services at the church. Burial will be in the Derinda Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. In Lieu of flowers, Memorials may be given to the Trinity Lutheran Derinda Elevator Handicap Accessibility Project in Ralph’s name.Ralph was born October 9, 1914 on the family farm in Derinda Township, Illinois, the son of Samuel and Caroline (Rath) Groezinger. He was baptized October 28, 1914 by Pastor H. Streeb at Trinity Lutheran Church and confirmed by Pastor Rudolph Reichen on November 11, 1928 at Trinity Lutheran Church. He attended Bethel School, rural Elizabeth through the eighth grade. On September 10, 1940, Ralph married Lillian Marie Albrecht in Massbach, Illinois.Ralph and Lillian farmed in rural Elizabeth, Derinda Township until retirement. They moved to Elizabeth in 1979 and retired from farming in 2001. Ralph also worked for Cobine Equipment in Elizabeth and repaired many hay balers in the area. Ralph served on Elizabeth Creamery Board, Trinity Lutheran Church Council, and Derinda Township Election Committee. He was devoted to his family as a husband, father and grandpa.Ralph is survived by his wife, Lillian; two sons, Allen Groezinger of Freeport, Illinois and Richard (Monica) Groezinger of Elizabeth; two daughters, Mae Ann (Bill) Hatfield of Elizabeth and Joyce (Keith) Morhardt of Elizabeth; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-nine great grandchildren; three great-great grandchild and a sister LaVerne Schnitzler of Elizabeth