Roy W. Groeschel, age 92, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, passed away Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Edenbrook Nursing Home in Wisconsin Rapids, surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services for Roy will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. Rev. Robert Schaller will officiate the service. The family will greet relatives and friends on Friday at the funeral home from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM. Entombment will take place at Good Shepherd Mausoleum (Calvary Cemetery) in Wisconsin Rapids. Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post #9 of Wisconsin Rapids.

Roy was born on June 14, 1926 in Carlton, MN to the late Roy and Della (Cieslik) Groeschel. He graduated from PJ Jacobs High School in Stevens Point. Roy worked for over 40 years for the Wood County Telephone Company, retiring as the general plant manager. He married Jacquelyn Hein on June 1, 1946 at S.S. Peter and Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids.

Roy served in the U.S. Marine Corps from November 2, 1942 through December 2, 1945. He spent 29 consecutive months overseas without receiving a break. During his time, Roy was involved in combat at Majuro, of the Marshall Islands and during the assault and capture of Okinawa, a part of the Ryukyu Islands. For his service, Roy received the Navy Commendation Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal and the Sharpshooter Rifle Badge. At the time of his honorable discharge, Roy had achieved the rank of Sergeant. In honor of his service, he was able to participate in the Never Forgotten Honor Flight on October 17, 2011 and toured many of the war memorials in Washington D.C.

Roy enjoyed golfing, square dancing, completing home improvement projects, spending time with his family and was a life member of American Legion Post #9.

Roy is survived by his children Mary (Bryan) McKinney of Frisco, TX, Patrick Groeschel of Plover, WI, Yvonne (Dan) Simmet of Wisconsin Rapids, Mark Groeschel of Wisconsin Rapids, Martha (Late Greg Marr) Fullmer of Appleton and Greg (Rosalba) Groeschel of Chicago, IL;  9 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild; brother David Groeschel of Philadelphia, PA and sister Bea Miranda Vargas of Oklahoma City, OK. He is further survived by his brother-in-law Malcolm Hein.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Jacquelyn, one brother, one sister and son Grant Groeschel.

Roy’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Edenbrook Nursing Home and Ministry/Ascension Hospice for the wonderful care given to him.