Larry Dale Grote
Larry Dale Grote, age 46 years, of Smithfield, Pa., went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 30, 2004, from the Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, Pa. He was born at Uniontown, Pa., on November 2, 1957, a son of Eugene and Eleanor (Hamborsky) Grote of Uniontown.
He was employed as a driver/salesman for the Pepsi Cola Corporation for more than 25 years and belonged to Teamsters Local 491.
Larry was a member of the Smithfield United Methodist Church and Sunday School. He served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, was a past member of the Church Choir and was Lay Speaker in the Connellsville District of the United Methodist Denomination. He was a Sunday School Teacher for several years and was co-leader of the Youth Group with his wife, Jane.
Because of Larry’s spirituality combined with his wonderful musical gifts he often would provide special solo music on guitar and his beautiful voice as requested by many area churches.
He was also a member of The Ecumenical Choir of Masontown, Pa., where he would sing at Easter and Christmas celebrations.
More recently Larry had been attending services at Oak Hill Baptist Church where he was a featured singer with their choir.
Larry’s love and dedication for his family and church was reflected in many ways. He never said no to any task that needed done and he was especially well known for his delicious cooking for shut-ins and for church fellowships.
His hobbies were singing, playing the guitar and fishing.
Larry’s contributions to his church and as a caregiver for his family will never be forgotten. To know him was to love him. His smile will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him!
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Steve and Mary (Lazur) Hamborsky, paternal grandparents, Paul and Cecelia (Miller) Grote, and a brother, Ralph Edward Grote.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by Jane L. Grote, his wife of 24 years; three stepchildren: Robin Kisko of Uniontown, Pa., Michael Kisko of Smithfield, Pa., and Kelly Gresh of Uniontown, Pa.; three brothers: Dennis Grote and his wife, Janet, of Uniontown, Pa., the Rev. Father Alan Grote of Holy Family Church in Latrobe, Pa., and Regis Grote and his wife, Tracy, of Albans, West Virginia; five step-grandchildren: Riley, Ryan and Michael and Bryan and Richard.
A private family visitation only will be held at the JOHN F. BROWNFIELD FUNERAL HOME OF SMITHFIELD, Pa.
A Memorial Service “A Celebration of His Life” will be conducted for family and friends at the SMITHFIELD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH today (Tuesday, November 2, 2004) at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Maggie J. Foreman and the Rev. Phillip Elliot officiating.
Larry will be laid to rest in Mount Moriah Cemetery, Smithfield, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions in his memory to Smithfield United Methodist Church or Oak Hill Baptist Church.