Leo F. Groleau, age 81, of 425 Wells Street, Nahma, died Saturday, November 24th, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba. Since November 19th, he was a patient at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba.
Leo was born April 28th, 1926 at the family home in St. Jacques, the son of Omer and Florestine (Sabourin) Groleau and was a lifelong resident of the St. Jacques, Ogontz, and Nahma areas.
In July of 1944, he entered military service with the Army Air Corps serving in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Leo was honorably discharged in August of 1946 and returned to Delta County and later became a member of the Rapid River American Legion Walter W. Cole Post #301 of Rapid River. He was united in marriage to the former Meryle A. Johnston on September 26th, 1959 in Escanaba and together raised five children.
Work was always important and satisfying part of his life and always enjoyed being busy. In earlier years, Leo was engaged in farming and later was employed in trucking and construction and was a long-time member of the Teamster Union Local #324 of Escanaba. Leo also worked in the logging industry as well for a number of years.
Gardening, hunting, and tapping maple trees were several of his enjoyments. Feeding wildlife of all kinds, especially deer, birds, and squirrels was one of his most enthusiastic past-times.
In addition, reading; playing cards, word search games, watching the “Chicago Cubs” and the “Detroit Tigers” gave him pleasure. His grandchildren, however, were a special source of pride and joy for Leo.
Leo Groleau’s survivors include:
his wife of 48 years, Meryle,
Five children—Paul E. (Helen) Groleau of Bessemer, MI; Thomas (Katherine) Farr) Groleau of Brandon, WI; Diane (James) Isleib of Munising, MI; Dean (Kathy) Groleau of Newburg, WI;Carol Groleau of Bloomington, MN
Four Brothers—Rosario (Donella) Groleau of St. Jacques; Gerald Groleau of Rapid River; Gary (Sandy) Groleau of the Flat Rock area; Wade (Marlene) Groleau of St. Jacques
Three Sisters—Rosalyn Plas of St.Jacques; Rita LaBumbard of Escanaba; Anita (Edward) Lamberg of Ensign
Six Grandchildren: Heather Groleau, Lila Isleib, Leslie (Luke) Kallioinen; Leo Isleib, Chelsea Groleau, and Abbee Groleau.
and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Leo was preceded in death by a grand-daughter, Rachael Groleau, in 1985. He was also preceded by three brothers; Rudolph, Edward, and Emil Groleau, and by three sisters; Leila Mosier, Irene Clement, and Loretta Pomeroy.
The family of Leo F. Groleau will receive friends on Tuesday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Services celebrating Leo’s life will follow at 6:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home on Tuesday with Deacon Rod Groleau officiating. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by the Rapid River American Legion.
Courtesy of Skradski-Boyce Funeral Homes