Francis A. Groshner

Francis A. Groshner, 98, of Meadville, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at Juniper Village. He was born September 20, 1913 in Meadville, a son of Arthur Groshner and Laura Hibbard Groshner. He married Addie E. McMillen on June 19, 1947, she preceded him in death on November 19, 1996. He was employed with American Viscose and retired from the maintenance department at Meadville Housing Corp. "Hillcrest." Francis was a World War II US Army Veteran serving with the 117th Combat Engineers Battalion in the Solomons Islands and the Philippine Islands for 28 months. He served as a construction foreman for 3 months supervising the work of 10 men in the construction of pre-fabricated buildings, culverts, bridges and roads, and repair work. He was awarded with the Philippine Liberation Medal with Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Pacific Campaign Medal with Arrowhead and Bronze Star, World War II Victory Medal, and two Bronze Star Medals. He was a member of Guys Mills United Evangelical Free Church, Masonic Lodge #408, American Legion Post #111, Kismet Gratto, Randolph Fire Department, and Erie-Crawford State Police Company 8. Francis enjoyed hunting, stamp collecting, and collecting guns. He is survived by two daughters, Pat Alexander and her husband Jim of Meadville and Darlene Marr and her husband Bob of Gloucester Point, Virginia; two sons, Robert Groshner and his wife Terri of Loudon, Tennessee and Bill Groshner and his wife Betsy of Meadville; nine grandchildren, Maria, Vikki, Scott, Matt, Kris, April, Gary, David, and Susan; 14 great grandchildren; one nephew, Jim Aylsworth; and numerous great nieces and great nephews. In addition to his loving wife Addie of 47 years he was preceded in death by both his parents; two sisters, Mabel Aylsworth and Ila Barstow; and a brother. Family and friends are welcome to call on Sunday, July 8th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Roofner-Collins-Warren Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 544 Chestnut Street, Meadville. The funeral service will take place Monday, July 9th at the funeral home at 10:00 a.m.with Pastor Dave Coddington of Guys Mills United Evangelical Free Church, officiating. The committal service and military honors, performed by VFW Post 2006 Color Guard, will take place at Kiser Hill Cemetery prior to burial. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made in Francis' memory to Guys Mills United Evangelical Free Church, PO BOX 26, Guys Mills, PA 16327. Please take a moment to share a memory or condolence with the family on Francis' Book of Memories online at www.roofnercollinswarrenfh.com