Clair Wilbur "Gus" Groff

Clair Wilbur “Gus” Groff, 93, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away peacefully at 5:47 PM on Friday, September 9, 2022 in his residence.

Mr. Groff was born December 21, 1928 in Manheim, PA.  After his father passed away in 1934, he went to The Milton Hershey School, where he graduated in 1947.  He served his country in the U. S. Army from 1951 to 1953 and married Marie Prater, a DeQuincy native, on December 25, 1952.  Mr. Groff attended McNeese College and graduated in 1959 with his degree in Horticulture.  He lived and worked in Florida for twenty years, before moving back to Lake Charles in 1980.  He enjoyed square dancing and was a member of the Swinging Rebels Square Dance Club.  He also enjoyed riding his bike around the neighborhood, picking up cans and was known as “The Can Man”.  Mr. Groff was a member of Sale Street Baptist Church.

Mr. Groff is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-nine years, Marie Prater Groff; one sister, Gracie Leath of Lancaster, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clair Groff and Bertha Groff Miller; three brothers, Jim Groff, John Groff, and George Groff; and sister, Virginia Sieverling.

His funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, September 12, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home.  Henry Iatesta will officiate.  A private burial will be at in Perkins Cemetery in DeQuincy, LA.  Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 12:00 PM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org