PIQUA - Bernard l. "Bernie" Groff, 92, of Piqua, died at 6:55 p.m. Thursday, Sept.15, 2011, at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy.
He was born in Russia, Aug. 27, 1919, the son of to the late Albert and Genevieve (Francis) Groff. On July 5, 1947 in Piqua, he married Chloveta Willcox. and she survives him.
Bernie is also survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathy and Robert Bogart, of Houston, and Loretta and Paul Trissell, of Piqua; a son and daughter-in-law, Bernard L. "Ben" Jr. and Carol Groff, of Piqua; two brothers and sister-in-law, Norbert Eugene and Rita Groff, of Tipp City, and George Groff, of Sidney; a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jane and Wallace Carey, of Piqua; seven grandchildren, Matt (Jessica) Bogart, New York, N.Y., Dan (Jayne) Bogart, New York, N.Y., Dominic Bogart, of Los Angeles, Calif., Kevin Bogart, of Portland, Ore., Ben (Vanessa) Westfall, of Elburn Ill., and Dylan and Bryan Trissell, of Piqua. Four great grandsons also survive. He was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.
Bernie was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Piqua. He was also a member of Piqua Eagles 614, Piqua American Legion Post 184 and Piqua VFW Post 4874. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was employed at Cron Kills and Miller Meteor in Piqua. and then worked for DP&L for 28 years.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, Piqua, by the Rev. Martin Fox. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua, with full military honors by the Veteran's Elite Tribute Squad.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home in Piqua. Prayers will be at 5 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mills/Bogart Brothers Scholarship Fund, Piqua Chamber of Commerce, 326 N. Main St., Piqua, OH 45356, or the St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund, 528 Broadway, Piqua, OH 45356. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.melcher-sowers.com