By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC – For the first time in 37 years, Dave Groner is out of the funeral business.
Groner, 64 in July, Thursday announced he sold the Groner Funeral Home business to Thomas Starks, owner of Dowagiac's other funeral home, McLauchlin-Clark, effective at noon today.
All pre-paid records, all pre-planned records and all history of prior funerals from 1914 through 2007 will be given to McLauchlin-Clark Chapel, LLC, by Aug. 31.
He advises them they may keep their funeral plans at McLauchlin-Clark or transfer them to any other funeral provider.
"I'm going to retire from funeral service," wrote Groner, which meant vacating his position representing southwest Michigan on the Michigan Funeral Directors Association board of directors after 4 1/2 years serving his profession, including three years as president of the seven-county District 3's 57 funeral homes.
William Lyon and his son Russell operated the funeral home begun in 1914 until Groner bought it for $40,000 on July 20, 1970.
The building will be listed for sale. The property includes the adjoining parking lot created in 1979 with the 157-foot move of the 1887 George Sculthorp house that is now his personal residence from the corner of Main Street to 208 Michigan Ave., where he intends to continue to live.
"The Dowagiac community has been a great place to be in business and to raise and educate my three daughters," Groner said. "I have enjoyed the business. It is a painful decision to sell."
"Rotary will just become fulltime," said Kristi, "If it's not already."
Indeed, the 36-year Rotarian and past district governor in the next month will represent the Rotary International president in District 1440 in Denmark, District 2250 in Norway and District 7150 in Albany, N.Y.
During October, he will speak at District 6540 for a foundation dinner in South Bend, Ind. He'll be in White Plains, N.Y., with D.K. Lee, next year's Rotary president, touring Rotary clubs in seven districts before heading to District 1470 (Sweden) for a 10-day speaking tour of Rotary Clubs.
Groner is president of Rotary International Heritage and History Fellowship for a second year, director of the Paul Harris House Committee, a director of the Polio Survivors Rotary Action Group and remains on the Polio Speakers Bureau and Polio International Oversight Committee.
During the past Rotary year, Groner has spoken to 32 Rotary clubs, eight district conferences, five president-elect training sessions and was the featured speaker at zone meetings in Niagara Falls in Canada, in Hershey, Pa., and in Jonkoping, Sweden.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cass County Cancer Services.
McLauchlin-Clark Funeral Home is serving the family.