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Claude Leon DeGroff, (C. Leon DeGroff) age 99, of West Unity, Ohio died Thursday, August 11, 2022 in Hillside Country Living, rural Bryan, Ohio. He was born February 9, 1923 to Claude L. DeGroff and Vernie L. (Richards) DeGroff, He was born in the home of Vernie’s parents, Louis and Eliza Richards, in Lockport.
Leon became a Christian in a Lockport United Brethren Church revival in December of 1933 with Rev. L.M. Owens, Pastor. Leon and Verona Vivian Platt were united in marriage on February 29, 1945 by Rev. W.L. Linebrink at the Stryker United Brethren parsonage. Three children were born to this union; Verona Yvonne, married Myron Ruffer, Larry Leon, married Carol Speiser, and Linda Kay, married Mark Brandt. Also 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a younger brother, Cecil, his wife Verona on March 14, 2017, daughter Linda Kay in May 1976 and great-grandson Steven in April 1998.
Leon served in various positions within the local United Brethren Church as well as in the District and Denominational Conferences of Churches in the United Brethren in Christ Church. He was also involved in the present New Hope Community Church on State Route 127, Bryan, Ohio. After graduation from Stryker High School in 1941, Leon continued farming and shortly thereafter continued doing some farm drainage jobs started by his Grandfather, Louis D. Richards before his death in 1939.
Leon continued to operate the farm drainage business known as DeFabCo (DeGroff Fabricating Co.) for a number of years, building custom drainage equipment and support equipment for the drainage industry, including retailing in laser grade control systems. After retirement, Leon and Verona enjoyed their cottage on Lake James, Indiana. Other than God, family, and his Sunday School class, he also had a passion for various types of boats, buying and trading them.
Friends may call for a time of visitation with the DeGroff family 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2022, at New Hope Community Church, North Campus Worship Center, Bryan, Ohio. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 15, 2022 at New Hope Community Church, North Campus Worship Center, Bryan, Ohio. Pastor Dave Nicholls will officiate. Interment will follow in Lockport Cemetery. Funeral luncheon will follow the interment services Monday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to: New Hope Community Church, Bryan, Ohio or the charity of donor’s preference.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to: Grisier Funeral Home, Stryker, Ohio www.grisierfh.com