Groner facing three charges punishable by prison

Published 5:19 am Friday, June 6, 2008

By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz has charged former Dowagiac funeral director David L. Groner, 64, of 208 Michigan Ave., Dowagiac, with three counts of failing to escrow funeral trust funds.
The charges arise from alleged activities occurring at Groner Funeral Home, 301 Main St., from 1998 through 2006.
The maximum penalty, if convicted, is five years and/or $5,000.
Groner turned himself in on the warrant Thursday.
He was arraigned at 3:30 p.m. June 5 before District Judge Paul E. Deats and received a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
He is scheduled for a preliminary examination of evidence at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 19.
Fitz said anyone who has not previously spoken to the Dowagiac Police Department about this matter and has documentation to confirm they suffered financial loss as a result of a pre-needs funeral escrow trust fund not being set up should contact city police.
Groner exited the funeral business last August after 37 years.
He is a former city councilman and past Rotary district governor who brought Dowagiac international attention for his globetrotting efforts at eradicating polio.
He had represented southwest Michigan on the Michigan Funeral Directors Association board of directors.