John "Bill" Groppel
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John William "Bill" Groppel, 74, died at 6:58 p.m., Thursday, February 18, 2021 at his residence.
He was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Alton, Illinois on December 19, 1946, the son of Harold Lesley and Bessie May (Padgett) Groppel.
He attended Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville and served his country with the United States Army during the Vietnam War in both Germany and Thailand.
For over 40 years, Bill was employed with Olin Brass where he retired in 2006 as a machinist. Bill led a life of simple pleasures, with no extravagance, but did enjoy attending auctions whenever he could.
He married the former Janice Fester on March 1, 1975, in Dow, Illinois, and together shared 20 years.
Surviving is his companion of twenty years, Jeannie (Gray) Elmore and her family of Godfrey; his ex-wife, whom he still maintained a friendship,Janice Groppel of Jerseyville; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and James Bartlett of Dow; two half sisters, Neva Perdun, and her husband, David of Jerseyville; and PatsiePlumlee of Kentucky; three nephews, Jeff Bartlett of Godfrey, Jake Bartlett of St. Louis, Mo., and Jed Bartlett of Iowa; three nieces and their spouses, Cindy and Bill Russell, Cheri and Joe Steckel all of Jerseyville, and Carla and Drew Barrett of Philadelphia, Pa.
He is also survived by Jeannies' children, Dawn Elmore Woytek of Katy, Tx., Kyle Elmore of DeMossville, Ky., and Shawn Elmore of Alton; along with her grandchildren who considered Bill their PaPa, Kayla Woytek, Katherine Woytek, Shawn Elmore, Hunter Elmore, Caleb Elmore and Kaden Woytek.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Jeannie's grandson, Austin Neff.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m., until the time of services at 12 noon, on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.
Memorials may be given to Shriner's Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.
Crawford Funeral Home
