Fred Russell “Russ” Groot, age 79 of Lowell, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2018, from complications of cancer. Born July 7, 1938 to Fred and Johanna (De Mooy) Groot, Russ grew up in Western Springs, IL. He often recalled stories of his beloved aunts, uncles and grandparents; trains and locomotives, and automobiles, including those he made and drove himself at a young age. He grew up connected to friends and family in the Dutch Christian Reformed community, the Western Springs Christian Reformed Church, and the First Christian Reformed Church in Cicero, IL. Family trips to the Three Oaks region beaches and blueberry farms began a lifelong association with Western Michigan and Grand Rapids, where he attended Calvin College and met and married his wife, Carolyne Van’t Hul. He lived and worked in southwest suburban Chicago, establishing a career in construction equipment sales. He later lived in Monee, where he enjoyed renovating his pre-civil war farmstead; and in Beecher, where he was an active member of the community and local Lions Club. He was a member of the Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church, and the Faith United Reformed Church of Monee, where he gave instrumental insight and energy to the planning and building of their new church. He particularly enjoyed patronizing the local “dirt farm” coffee shops and befriending people he met everywhere he went. He relocated to Lowell, MI, in 2006 to retire; and continued his lifelong loves of making friends, attending steam tractor shows, and spending time with his family. He also became a member of Grace United Reformed Church in Alto. He is survived by his former wife, Carolyne; children, Sandra (Gary) Keyt, William (Lisa Wax) Groot, David (Stefanie) Groot; grandchildren, Justin, Jeffrey, Naiya, Ellis; and sister Sandra (Robert) Van Poolen. He was predeceased by his brother, James Groot. Services will be held Saturday, May 12, 11:00 a.m. at Grace United Reformed Church, 9922 84th St. SE, Alto, MI 49302. The family will greet friends and relatives before the service from 9-11:00 a.m. Pastor Michael Schout officiating. Interment Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beecher Lions Club, PO Box 3, Beecher, IL 60401.
