Thelma M. Groff

Thelma Miller Groff, 86, of Goshen, died early Saturday morning, March 20, 2010, at Goshen General Hospital. She was born on July 5, 1923 in Dhamtari, India, to Ernest and Ruth (Blosser) Miller.  She married Weyburn Woodrow Groff on January 1, 1946 in Goshen.  He survives. Also surviving is a son, Ed Groff of Los Angeles, California; three daughters, Rachel White of Sarasota, Florida, Margaret (Hans Reinhardt) Groff of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and Cheryl (Ron Hess) Groff of Cairo, Egypt; three grandchildren; and a brother, Donald (Mary Lois) Miller of New Bern, North Carolina. Mrs. Groff was born and raised in India and worked as a teacher at Union Biblical Seminary in India until returning to Goshen in 1965.  She taught 4th grade at Parkside School in Goshen from 1966-1971; worked at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart in the early 1980’s and then returned to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and Taiwan with MCC in 1988. A member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen, Mrs. Groff had a lifetime interest in music.  She served as choral director at Union Biblical Seminary and shared her musical gifts in her home, church and her community. Friends may call 2 to 5 p.m., Friday, March 26, in the Koinonia Room at College Mennonite Church, Goshen, where a 4 p.m., Saturday, March 27, memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Klaudia Smucker.  A plaque will be place in the memorial gardens at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College Music Department, College Mennonite Church Jubilee Fund or The Hermitage.