Roger Lee Grove

**Please note time zones listed within obituary**

Roger Lee Grove, born on March 13, 1949, passed away Friday, September 20, 2019.  He was the 2nd born in a set of identical twin boys.  He is survived by his twin, Ralph (Jackie) and his older brother, Larry (Sharon).  In 1973, he married Elizabeth Croumlich. He is survived by her and their three children, Sarah (Irving) Audiss, Aaron (Kristen) Grove, and Hannah (Scott) Lehman.  His grandchildren called him Papa and he loved them so much. Their names are Samantha, Wyatt, Gracelyn, Mariella and Levi Grove, Cecily and Wilder Lehman and Kaytee Keller.  He also had two great granddaughters, Ava Rowe and Reagan Leeann Gould. He is also survived by family that were friends and friends that were family, too many to count.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald “Doc” Grove and Lela Grove-Gibson and his in-laws,  Robert & Mary Croumlich.

Roger spent his career working in parks and recreation.  He loved his years at Bendix Woods County Park, Potato Creek State Park, LaPorte County Parks and the town of New Carlisle.  As a teenager, he took his first of many trips to western South Dakota. He loved the land and the Lakota people. He and his family lived in South Dakota for a year where he worked for Wesleyan Native American Ministries.  He also spent many vacations volunteering at Lakota Chapel in White River, South Dakota. Roger loved Jesus and because of Him, he loved his family, friends and community well. He spent his life volunteering, creating, designing and building.  His gift of music was shared with many. Nothing brought him more pleasure than singing with friends and family. He spent many years building bonfires and sledding hills for his kids. He took pride in making the world’s best tapioca and had perfected the art of the best kettle corn you ever had the pleasure of tasting.  He will always be remembered for his amazing servant’s heart.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 pm EST (5 pm CST) on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at New Carlisle Wesleyan Church, 32645 Early Road, New Carlisle.  Cremation will follow the service.

A time of visitation will be held from 2 pm EST (1 pm CST) until the time of the service on Tuesday at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Lakota Chapel, P.O. Box 324, White River, SD  57579.

P.S. Parcheesi was his game.  He was the best player ever, all you had to do was ask him.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.