Robert H. Grothouse

Robert H. Grothouse, 88, of Delphos, passed away Monday, July 20, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at Vancrest Health Care Center in Delphos.

He was born March 17, 1927, in Delphos, the son of John I. and Mary (Carder) Grothouse, who both preceded him in death. On November 29, 1949, he was united in marriage to Luella (Sawmiller) Grothouse, who survives in Delphos.

He is also survived by five daughters, Joyce Hilvers of Delphos, Jan (Dave) Hoffman of Delphos, Cindy (Terry Knebel) Schwinnen of Landeck, Patti (Jerry) Bonifas of Delphos and Deb (Jay) Kundert of Delphos; four sons, Bob L. (Linda Shaffer) Grothouse, Bill (Barb) Grothouse, Jim (Tracy) Grothouse and Mark (Angie) Grothouse, all of Delphos; two brothers, Larry (Sue) Grothouse and John (Diane) Grothouse, both of Delphos; 25 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Alice Grothouse and Jean Sawmiller; and a brother-in-law, Kenneth Sawmiller.

A sister, Betty Swick; one brother, Hubert “Beeze” Grothouse; a son-in-law, Gene Schwinnen; one granddaughter, Keri Anne Mathison; two infant grandchildren; an infant great-grandchild; three brothers-in-law, Paul, Bill and Bobby Sawmiller; and a sister-in-law, Mary Sawmiller, also preceded him in death.

Bob was a longtime owner of Delpha Chevrolet and Buick. He was employed there as a service manager and parts manager, and then went into sales before purchasing the franchise in 1971. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Delphos, a 1945 graduate of Delphos St. John’s High School, the Delphos Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Delphos Eagles, Delphos American Legion post and the Delphos Knights of Columbus council.

Bob served in the United States Army as a radio operator from June 5, 1945, to December 17, 1946. He was with the 97th Constabulary Signal Squadron at Hamburg, Germany, where he operated both field radios and fixed stations to maintain contact with outlying units. Bob handled reports, coded messages, official letters and other such messages. He was also operator on General Harmon’s official train. Robert was very private with his military past, but was very proud of the service he committed to his country.

Bob enjoyed fishing, hunting and taking care of his yard. He was a past grand marshal of Delphos Canal Days, and, in his younger years, loved to play the guitar for his family. He enjoyed spending nearly every Friday night dancing. Bob devoted his life to his family and his business.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, July 24, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Delphos, with graveside military honors performed by the Delphos Veterans Council.

Calling hours are from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, and 2-8 p.m. Thursday, July 23, at Harter and Schier Memorial Chapel in Delphos, where a parish wake will be held at 7:30 Thursday evening.

Preferred memorials: The Kidney Foundation of Ohio or Ashton’s Angels.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.harterandschier.com.