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Obituary

Joseph Daniel Grotenrath, born January 7, 1938 in Cleveland, Ohio, returned to his heavenly Father on June 17, 2009. Preceded in death by his loving parents, Colonel Joseph A. Grotenrath, U.S. Army (Ret.) and Mary Della Castrigano Grotenrath and precious sisters, Dolores Grotenrath (Leroy T.) Boulware and Helen Grotenrath (Edward E.) Sims. Joe is survived by his cherished son and daughter, Joseph A. Grotenrath II and Gina Anne Grotenrath (Jay) Smith, and darling granddaughter, Giana Jo Smith, all of New Jersey, and his devoted sister, Mary Jo Grotenrath of Columbus. In addition, he leaves the following muchloved nephews and nieces, all of Columbus unless otherwise indicated: Joe (Kathy) Boulware of Lancaster and son, Tim, of Wyoming; Edward J.(Eileen) Sims and children, Maureen (Jim) Motter and their children, Sarah and Daniel; Michele Sims (Marty Howitz); Ed Sims, Jr. and daughters, Allie and Maddie; Eric (Julie) Sims and son, Preston, of Orlando; Mike (Sue Lally) Boulware and children, Genna (Jim) Steinbeck and daughter, Rylee, of Lewis Center, and sons Todd (Sarah) and Eric (Courtney) of Connecticut; Jodelle Sims and daughter, Alicia (Derek) Bogner and baby Alayna; Greg Boulware; David (Mary Pat) Boulware and sons, Tom, Jeff (Molly) and baby Lindy Mae; and Paul; John (Sharon) Sims and children John, Joe, Jake, Jared, and Jenna, of Plain City; and a host of loving cousins in Cleveland, Grand Rapids, and Sacramento. A devout Catholic, Joe attended daily Mass at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, often visiting St. Agatha and St. Andrew on weekend mornings. As a member of an Army family, Joe lived at various military bases in the United States and abroad. Joe graduated from Marist College in Atlanta, Georgia and Southeastern University in Washington, D.C. after turning down a number of football and basketball scholarship offers. A sports enthusiast and a spectacular athlete, Joe received close to sixty trophies in basketball, football, and baseball over the years starting in grammar school, throughout high school and college and later at teams sponsored by his various places of employment including FBI headquarters in Washington, D C., and City National Bank, Columbia Gas, and Wendy’s corporate headquarters in Columbus. There is no accurate account, because he regularly donated these beautifully crafted awards to local high schools for recycling for use in current athletic programs. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 1559 Roxbury Rd., at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 24 with Msgr. Romano Ciotola, Presider, and Msgr. John K. Cody and Msgr. Anthony Missimi concelebrating. Interment will be private. The family expresses its deep appreciation to dear friend and devoted caregiver, Sue Stephens; the Upper Arlington Fire Department Emergency Squad and ER staff and ICU at Riverside Hospital; and the caring staff at Kobacker House, and all the faithful friends who prayed for Joe. Arrangements by JOHN QUINT TREBONI, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Condolences may be sent via www.johnquint.com.