NAPPANEE - T. Richard DeGroff, 61, of 1150 Franklin St., Nappanee, died at 7:20 p.m. Oct. 7, 2007, in Goshen General Hospital. He had Myatonic Muscular Dystrophy for more than 20 years.
He was born March 28, 2946, in Monterey Park, Calif., to Theodore R. and Allene Smith DeGroff. On Aug. 20, 1967, in Santa Rosa, Calif, he married Linda Faye Cashada, who died in May 1994.
He moved to Nappanee from California in 1996. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in Korea and Vietnam. In 1977, he joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Nimitz, which was the ship that attempted to rescue hostages in Iran during President Carter's term of office. In Florida, he attended Evangel Temple, where he was in the choir and a leader in the Royal Rangers. In California, he was a member of Assembly of God. In Nappanee, he attended First Church of God when able.
Surviving are his mother and stepfather, Allene and Lester Mast, Nappanee; and two sisters, Nancy D. Dougherty, Nappanee, and Mrs. Doug (Susan A.) Troyer, Walkerton. He was preceded in death by a brother and his father.
Graveside services with military rites will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at Union Center Cemetery, Nappanee. There will be cremation. A memorial service will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at First Church of God, Nappanee, with the Revs. Sam Bennett and Robert Fields officiating.
Calling is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the church.
Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, is in charge of arrangements.
