Obituaries
Grant George Groenewold 1931-2016
Grant George Groenewold, 85, of Forreston, Ill., died Nov. 25, 2016, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was born July 4, 1931, in Freeport, Ill., to George and Gertrude (Wendt) Groenewold. He married Beverly Tengler of Springfield, Ill., on Nov. 1, 1959. Groenewold graduated from Forreston High School in 1949. He served in the Korean War from 1952-54.
Groenewold was an active member of North Grove Evangelical Church, where he served on the Consistory as an Elder for several years. He purchased Groenewold Fur & Wool Co. in 1958, from his father. Today the business is still operated by his three sons, his grandson and many faithful employees. He was passionate about his business. He loved what he did, the people he met and the places he traveled. Groenewold was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Beverly Groenewold; sons, Gregory Groenewold of Forreston, Gary (Catherine) Groenewold of Baltimore, Guy (Dawn) Groenewold of Forreston; daughter, Elizabeth (Ekkehard) Schoettle of Lake Forest, Ill.; grandchildren, Grant S. Groenewold of Forreston, Dagmar, Anke and George Schoettle of Lake Forest, Elizabeth (Micah) Orsie and Nicholas Groenewold of Baltimore, and Naeva and Christian Groenewold of Forreston; one sister, Gretchen Korzak of Santa Fe, N.M.; one brother, Gerald (Connie) Groenewold of Grand Forks, N.D.; two sisters-in-law, Betty Lawler and Helen Tengler of Springfield; and many nieces and nephews.
JAMES CLINTON HODGES, 1934-2016
James Clinton Hodges died Nov. 28, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Clinton was born on July 7, 1934, in San Angelo, Texas, to Lewis Fred and Mary Elizabeth “Bettie” (Woods) Hodges. He spent his childhood getting an early start in his career learning to run the family’s ranch and attending livestock shows.
Clinton graduated from Sterling City High School in 1951 and attended San Angelo College. He married Joyce Marie (Gartman) Hodges on March 20, 1953, in Arlington, Texas. They resided on the family ranch south of Sterling City. They continued the family tradition of owning and operating the Hodges Ranch, which has been in operation since 1889.
He was also an active member of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association for 55 years and served as an ASI director. He also served as president of the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association.
Clinton is survived by his wife Joyce; and children: Daughter Amy and husband Will Broome of San Angelo; Daughter Becky and husband Randall Pittman of Katy, Texas; Son Wesley and wife Karen Hodges of Sterling City; six grandchildren and one great grandchild; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.