[Nfbmo] FW: annette Grove obituary

[Susan Ford]

I don't know if you got this, because I got it back as a draft, so here
again ..          

 

 

From: Sue Sebranek [mailto:sasebranek at q.com] 
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 9:10 AM
To: Susan Ford <johnsusanford at earthlink.net>
Subject: annette Grove obituary

 

Annette Grove

Annette Riess Grove, 78, of Belleville, Ill., born February 23, 1939 in
Mascoutah, Ill., died Saturday, May 13, 2017, peacefully in the comfort of
her home.

In a hurry to arrive, Annette was born at home - a joyful addition to a
loving family which included two brothers and a sister who had long prayed
for her arrival. Though born with a visual disability, she was blessed with
empowering parents who were committed to raising a strong and independent
young woman. 

Annette loved learning and saw most opportunities as a way to either gain or
impart knowledge. After graduating from Mascoutah Community High School in
1957, she attended MacMurray College and earned a BA in Psychology and
Sociology in 1961. That same year, she began a career in human development
working as a counselor for the Illinois Department of Mental Health in
Urbana. Many years later with yet more to be mastered, she secured both an
MBA and an MA in Health Service Management from Webster University in 1994.

Dedicated to the same field of work, Annette met her future husband, Richard
"Dick" Grove, while both were attending a conference in St. Louis, Mo. He
was tall, handsome, and happened to be blind. As kindred spirits with
complementary personalities, they married May 20, 1962, in Decatur, Ill.
Together, over the next 38 years, they championed the God-given potential of
all people. 

Making their home in Belleville, the couple raised three sons to honor God,
work diligently, live with intention, and pay forward the blessings of life.
She enjoyed putting her own spin on family life and considered every day a
gift not to be wasted. She reveled in celebrating Christmas with an
international flair, adding mystery ingredients to meals, charting family
vacations on the Greyhound Bus, and leading family adventures on their
trademark tandem bicycle. Annette was never happier than when she could be
with her sons - preferably all at the same time.

With the boys enrolled in school, Annette resumed her career by joining MERS
Missouri Goodwill Industries where she served in ever-expanding roles before
eventually retiring as Vice-President. Her rest was short-lived, however, as
duty called again and she joined the team of Goodwill Industries
International. During this encore career, she traveled the country
continuously. Many family and friends lived vicariously through her frequent
on-line updates that provided a virtual memoir of a non-stop life. Upon
retiring in December 2016, Annette had served in the Goodwill family for 40
impactful years.

An active faith was always an integral part of Annette's life. She
worshipped at First United Presbyterian Church in Belleville, served as an
elder and led as moderator of the local Presbyterian Women where she
emphasized serving the needs of others. She had great memories of serving
together with Dick on a mission project to Montana and then on her own in
Guatemala where she built cinderblock homes for the poor. At age 76, she
tackled her first half-marathon to raise funds for the Christian relief
organization, World Vision.

Annette's circle of friends was wide and diverse. She possessed the gifts of
discernment, encouragement, and admonishment and used them liberally to help
many find their own path in life. She once reflected that she "would like to
be remembered as a friend to the friendless, a coach to those willing to
learn to better their life situation, an advocate for those unable to
represent themselves, an ambassador of hope, goodwill and good humor, and a
child of God, blessed by the love of Jesus Christ."

Annette was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Anne Riess; her
husband, Dick Grove; brothers, Roland Riess and Donald Riess;
brother-in-law, Robert Welch; sister-in-law, Shirley Grove;
great-grandchildren, Kinsley Grove and Braelynn Grove; nephew, Jeff Riess;
great-nephew, Lance Larson; and niece, Terri Grove.

Surviving to carry on the family legacy are her three sons and their
families, Allen and Debbie Grove of Monett, Mo.; David and Stephanie Grove
of Swansea, Ill.; and Colin and Briana Grove of Verona, Wis.; as well as her
grandchildren, Tiffany Grove, Justin and Sara Grove, Emily Grove, Samantha
and Greg Jones, Matthew Grove, Megan Grove, Lauren Grove and Stephanie
Brower; and her great-grandchildren Karleigh Barker, Bryar Barker, Paisley
Jones and Anslie Brower. She is further survived by her devoted sister,
Marilyn Welch; treasured sisters-in-law, June Riess and Jean Riess;
brother-in-law, Robert Grove; dear nieces, nephews, and cousins, a loving
church family and a host of other long-time and recent friends.

Memorial gifts are appreciated to FUPC Missions at firstunitedpres.org,
Hands to Help at handstohelpnfp.org or World Vision at worldvision.org.
Condolences can be sent to mollfuneralhome.com. 

Visitation: Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017
and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at First United
Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Rd., Belleville, Ill.



Funeral: The funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the
church. Burial will be at Mascoutah City Cemetery. 

MOLL FUNERAL HOME, Mascoutah, Ill. 

Published in Belleville News-Democrat on May 14, 2017 - See more at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?n=annette-grove
<http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/belleville/obituary.aspx?n=annette-grove&p
id=185383867&fhid=9302#sthash.XKJCCI9e.dpuf>
&pid=185383867&fhid=9302#sthash.XKJCCI9e.dpuf