David L. Groner

David LeRoy Groner was born July 20, 1943, in San Francisco, California to Ivan and Alma (Seeley) Groner. He grew up on a farm in Sand Lake, MI, the oldest of five children. For David taking charge came easily, his persistence was evident & his love for family was infinite. Davids fondest memories as a child were spent with immediate & extended family sharing meals, doing farm chores, and attending church. David played football & basketball in high school. He was nicknamed “Bones” due to his lengthy stature & bony build. He cherished recalling his high school athletics frequently. David graduated from Sand Lake High School in 1961. He pursued undergraduate studies at Grand Rapids Junior College, then at Ferris State College where he met and dated Nancy March. They were married in Big Rapids on October 10, 1964.

In 1967 he graduated from Wisconsin Institute, Department of Mortuary Science with a degree in Mortuary Science. David worked for the Schmit & Bartelt Funeral Home and obtained his funeral directors license in both Wisconsin and Michigan. One of his fondest memories during this time was attending the 1967 NFL Championship Game, also known as the Ice Bowl, the coldest game ever played in NFL history.

In 1970 David & Nancy moved to Dowagiac, MI and purchased the Lyon Funeral Home, renaming it Groner Funeral Home. Together they had three daughters: Michelle (Scott) Lyon, Kristi (Jeff) Wyman, & Jeni (Jeremy) Sauve. David relished spending time with his family assisting him with funeral operations and comforting those in need for thirty-seven years until he retired from the funeral industry in 2007. When he wasn’t managing business needs, he was busy nurturing flowers, sitting on his porch swing, & attending his daughters’ events. David adored watching his daughters grow up. He consistently welcomed their friends into their home. He loved cheering on his daughters and cheering on all kids within the community. He also would discipline them all if he felt necessary. He was known to ground a few kids that weren’t his own, generously give kids advice in a peculiar way, as well as remind them often to remember their P’s (prior planning prevents piss poor performance).

David was a planner; he loved being busy and truly enjoyed working. He had a heart for people, supporting locally owned businesses, volunteering in his community, and serving worldwide. David loved to tell stories. He accomplished and traveled so much in life often it was difficult to know what was factual and what was exaggerated when he was telling a story. His laugh was contagious, his stories were unordinary, and he was an exceptional public speaker. David’s obituary is lengthy due to his adventurous life, & in honor of his story telling personality. Also, due to our experience in the funeral industry our opinions are strong regarding well written descriptive obituaries.

David’s hobbies included reading the daily newspaper, sailing the Great Lakes, making stained glass windows, and traveling. He stayed active through downhill & cross-country skiing & running. David was a dedicated fan of The Michigan Wolverines’, Detroit Tigers, & Detroit Lions. He was most passionate about MHSAA football and would drive all over the state for Friday Night Lights. Regularly he went to local coffee shops talking about recent sporting events & predicting future ones.

David was an involved member of the Michigan & National Funeral Directors Association. Serving many terms in Michigan representing District 3 on the board both as the secretary/treasurer and as president. He was active in the Jaycees including president 1972-1973, district vice president 1973-1974, National Jaycee director in 1974-1975. He thoroughly enjoyed Jaycee shenanigans in company of other members, particularly lifelong friends, Tom & Nancy McKinzie.

David became a member of Rotary in 1970 and was very immersed in Rotary for several decades. He was President of the Dowagiac Rotary Club from 1976-1977. In 1991, he led a district caravan of 13 donated vehicles filled with school and medical supplies to Belize. He was the district chairmen for Group Study Exchange program from 1980-1996. Dave served D6360 as governor 1997-1998. He was a member of the Polio Eradication Fundraising Committee of North America, and a Vice-Chairman of the Polio Plus Partners Committee. David led fifteen teams of Rotary NID volunteers to the countries of: Africa, India, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Benin, and Egypt to help immunize children against Polio. He was the Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 28 from 2004 – 2007. David received the Paul Harris Fellow award, the Four Avenues of Service award, the Service Above Self award, & immeasurable other awards because of his dedication to Rotary.

Along with his service through Rotary, Dave served the community of Dowagiac in a variety of ways. Including the Dowagiac Elks, Moose, & Conservation Club, Dowagiac City Council, Cass County Mental Health Board, & Cass County United Way. David was active with the SMC Monday night running club & on the Foundation board for Southwestern Michigan College. For 15 years David was chairman of the Sand Lake Alumni Banquet. David was a member of the Dowagiac United Methodist Church, Sand Lake United Methodist Church, & Rockford United Methodist Church. Throughout his life he made mistakes, & experienced trials yet his faith was steady with the Lord.

David became a grandfather in 2000. Once David became a grandpa he delighted in making homemade ice cream, wearing silly hats, sending obnoxious amounts of candy in the mail, & frequently boasting about his grandchildren’s accomplishments. He is Grandpa Groner to Hailey (Caleb) Moser, Elizabeth (Aeden) Ligon, Thomas (Alyssa) Lyon, Anita (Jaden) Gresham, Evan Wyman, Bryce Sauve, Brady Sauve, & one great grandchild on the way, Baby Ligon.

David passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 surrounded by his daughters in Reed City, MI at the age of 82. David had a full venturesome life that leaves his surviving family/friends’ endless stories to tell & moments they’ll cherish forever. He is survived by his daughters, son-in laws, grandchildren & their spouses. Also surviving is his former wife Nancy Spedowski, siblings; Floyd (Cheryl) Groner, Gloria Groner, Sharon (Dan) Bolthouse, & Tom Groner. Additionally, his five nephews, eight nieces and their families. Other family members include several Rotary Group business exchange friends, countless Rotary exchange students that he hosted and became family, and his cat, Smart Cat. David was greeted in heaven by his savior, parents Ivan & Alma, nephew Jordan Groner, nephew in-law Christopher Miller, and a host of other special relatives that have gone before him.

According to David's wishes he will be buried in his football jersey and suit coat because “My best days were spent wearing those two items but forget about a tie. I spent too much time in a tie already.” Visitation will be held at K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, Sunday, October 19th from 2:00-4:00. Funeral services will begin at 4:00 upon conclusion of the visitation. Burial will be private for immediate & extended family on a future date. David & his daughters have set up & distributed so many flowers for past funerals. We thank you in advance for partnering with us to support The Comfort Home and give back to this wonderful organization as opposed to sending flowers. Monetary donations can be mailed to The Comfort Home, 204 N Patterson Road, Reed City, MI 49677, or contributions can be made online at https://thecomforthomemi.org. Additionally, we encourage you to honor David's memory by becoming active in an organization or cause.