William L. "Bill" Grove

CEDAR RAPIDS- William L. (Bill) Grove of 148 - 36th St., NE, Cedar Rapids, passed away on July 25, 2008, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy after a battle with prostate cancer. He was born in South English, Iowa on July 30, 1940, to Clarence H. (Pete) and Mae Ballard Grove. Bill spent his youth hunting, trapping and fishing the English River area and during his high school years at English Valleys High School was an outstanding athlete. He graduated from English Valleys High School in 1959 and graduated from Cedar Rapids Barber College in 1960. He and Greg Karasek were owners of Executive Barber in Cedar Rapids for 41 years where he developed hundreds of customers, many multi-generational families. He was a member of the English River Church of the Brethren in South English. He married Karen L. Dennis on May 1, 1961, in North English and are parents of 2 children, Dennis and Karie Lynn. He later married Tracy Hamilton on November 17, 1990. He was proud to be a Charter Member of the Cedar Rapids Bassmasters since its inception in 1973. He was a three-time Fisherman of the Year, held various offices and was active with youth fishing events.
He is survived by his wife, Tracy Hamilton-Grove; son Dennis (Denise) Grove of Marion; daughter Karie Lynn Grove of Des Moines; granddaughter Madeline Eggleston of Des Moines; grandsons Nolan and Brady and granddaughter Ella Grove of Marion. Sisters Joyce (Gene) Fink of Lake Shastina, CA and Karla Grove of Juneau, AK; Aunt Opal (Beorkrem) Grove; special cousins, Chris and Ruthann Huberty; and beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at the Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will be from 3:00 PM until service time on Wednesday. Graveside Services will be held 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 31, 2008, at the English River Church of the Brethren Cemetery, near South English. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North English is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made in Bill’s name to the Cedar Rapids Bassmasters’ youth programs, or the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy. The family wishes to extend a special thanks to the wonderful caregivers at St. Lukes Hospice, Iowa Blood and Cancer Care and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy