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Death notices, April 2021

Obituary for Harold Kenneth Groves

Harold Kenneth Grove, 89, passed away at his home Friday evening, April 9, 2021.
He was born July 3, 1931, in Albany, to Wilbur Grove & Mary (Wilkinson) Grove.
Harold grew up in Fayetteville, Ore., and moved to Lebanon in 1940. He attended Stoltz Hill School, and later Lebanon Union High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1951. Harold married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Atkinson of Sweet Home on August 10, 1951.
Harold served in the Korean War, based in Whidbey Island Wash., Okinawa and Atsugi Japan.
After returning from the service he worked his way through college at Western Veneer and by surveying with Bert Udell. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1959 with a master’s degree in education and counseling.
He taught at Lacomb School, Santiam School, Green Acres, Lebanon Middle School, Albany Christian and Crowfoot Christian. He also served on the Lebanon School District Guidance Program.
He went on to found East Linn Christian Academy in 1982. Later on, Harold & Dorothy donated the land for the current school campus. Harold served faithfully at ELCA in various roles, before retiring in 1997.
Harold enjoyed hiking, exploring the outdoors, mineral collecting, and adding to his collection of landscaping plants. He also volunteered with Gideons International.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Mary Grove; and sister Dorothy Libby.
He is survived by his wife of 69-plus years, Dorothy Grove; and sisters Mildred Johnson of Lebanon and Joy Robertson of Waldport. He is also survived by his children, Dan and Judy Grove of Tillamook; Charlie and Susan Grove of Sweet Home; Al and Debbie Grove of Sweet Home; Ila Guerrero of Brownsville; and Bruce and Jen Grove of Salem.
Harold and Dorothy were also foster parents and sponsored exchange students: Soosan Loughmanpour, Kaveh Ofogh, Joyce Weeda, Vernor Munoz, Tina Gall and others.
He was a proud grandpa of 18 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends, of which he had many. We who knew and loved him are comforted by the knowledge that he has been welcomed Home by his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Christmas 1955

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” – Matt. 25:23
A viewing will take place at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long St., from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 18.
A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Monday, April 19, at Jefferson Baptist Church, 15002 Jefferson Hwy. 99E SE.
A private graveside service will follow.
The memorial service will be recorded and livestreamed at youtu.be/f0PMVBbz3z4.
Memorials can be made to East Linn Christian Academy or Gideons International.

Death notice information is gleaned from local mortuaries. Death notices are published at no cost. To make sure a death notice gets listed, ask the mortuary to contact Lebanon Local or call us directly at (541) 367-2136.

Denise Anne (Still) Bridges, 65, of Lebanon, died March 14, 2021. She requested no services so her family will honor her wishes. For more information, visit at Weddle-funeral.com.

Billie Jean Cox, 89, of Lebanon, died March 22, 2021. A memorial service was held April 10 at Cornerstone Bible Church in Albany. For more information, visit at Weddle-funeral.com.

Robert John Drake Jr., 74, of Lebanon, died March 21, 2021. A virtual celebration of his life will be held at a future date. For more information, visit hustonjostfuneralhome.com.

Linda Kay Estill, 68, of Lebanon, died March 15, 2021. A graveside service was held at March 20, at the Lebanon IOOF Cemetery. For more information, visit hustonjostfuneralhome.com.

Michael Lewis Garber, 76, of Lebanon, died March 17, 2021.
A graveside service with military honors was held March 23 at Gilliland Cemetery in Sweet Home.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Kelsey Noelle Harris, 31, a Lebanon High School teacher and coach, died March 28, 2021.
A Celebration of Life memorial service was held April 7, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Portland. The church recorded and live-streamed the service, which can be viewed at www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=1273738276361146&ref=watch_permalink.
Memorial contributions can be made in Ms. Harris’ name to Lebanon High School girls soccer team and/or Lebanon High School girls tennis team.
Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.

John K. Lindsey, 54, died March 9, 2021. A Funeral Mass was held March 17 at St. Edward Catholic Church, Lebanon. For more information, visit hustonjostfuneralhome.com.

Louis Irwin Thurston, 69, died April 8, 2021. A Celebration of Life was held at Waterloo Park on April 16. For more information, visit hustonjostfuneralhome.com.

Vincent S. Wells, 41, died March 13, 2021. A Celebration of Life service was held March 27 at The River Center in Lebanon. For more information, visit hustonjostfuneralhome.com.