Obituary for Irwin L. Groff
Irwin L. Groff, 78, of Lititz, (formerly of New Holland) passed Friday, June 21, 2019 after a lengthy illness at Brethren Village.
Born in East Cocalico Twp., he was a son of the late Amos and Eva (Fox) Groff. He was married 18 years on August 19 to Joyce E. (Snavely) Hershey Groff. His first wife, Mary Jane (Hershey) Groff passed in 1999.
Irwin was an independent truck driver for 46 years, retiring in 2006. He had driven over 5 million miles.
He was a member of the Conestoga Church of the Brethren where he taught Sunday school for 26 years. He served as past president of the former ITA (Independent Truckers Association), was a member of Transport for Christ, and managed the Chicken BBQ for the Brethren Disaster Relief auction for several years. He also enjoyed customizing Smith-Miller toy trucks.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two children, Douglas K. Groff of Etowah, NC, and Lisa A., (Travis) Fox of Leola; two granddaughters, Avery and Quinn Fox; three step sons, Gregg, Shawn, and Ryan Hershey all of Manheim; five step grandchildren, Devyn Laser, Tyler, Torri, Haylie, and Caitlin Hershey; two sisters, Mary Ella Groff of Ephrata, and Grace Martin of Orrstown; and two brothers, Harold Groff of Lancaster, and John Groff of Ephrata.
Preceding him in death is a sister Norma Weaver; and a brother Clarence Groff.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 26 at 10 am at Conestoga Church of the Brethren, 141 E. Main St., Leola. Interment will be in the Bareville Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 pm and on Wednesday from 9-10 am at the Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Transport for Christ, www.transportforchrist.org
Born in East Cocalico Twp., he was a son of the late Amos and Eva (Fox) Groff. He was married 18 years on August 19 to Joyce E. (Snavely) Hershey Groff. His first wife, Mary Jane (Hershey) Groff passed in 1999.
Irwin was an independent truck driver for 46 years, retiring in 2006. He had driven over 5 million miles.
He was a member of the Conestoga Church of the Brethren where he taught Sunday school for 26 years. He served as past president of the former ITA (Independent Truckers Association), was a member of Transport for Christ, and managed the Chicken BBQ for the Brethren Disaster Relief auction for several years. He also enjoyed customizing Smith-Miller toy trucks.
Surviving in addition to his wife are two children, Douglas K. Groff of Etowah, NC, and Lisa A., (Travis) Fox of Leola; two granddaughters, Avery and Quinn Fox; three step sons, Gregg, Shawn, and Ryan Hershey all of Manheim; five step grandchildren, Devyn Laser, Tyler, Torri, Haylie, and Caitlin Hershey; two sisters, Mary Ella Groff of Ephrata, and Grace Martin of Orrstown; and two brothers, Harold Groff of Lancaster, and John Groff of Ephrata.
Preceding him in death is a sister Norma Weaver; and a brother Clarence Groff.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 26 at 10 am at Conestoga Church of the Brethren, 141 E. Main St., Leola. Interment will be in the Bareville Cemetery. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 6-8 pm and on Wednesday from 9-10 am at the Church. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Transport for Christ, www.transportforchrist.org