Donald Clifford Grove, age 93, passed away on April 15, 2024, in Grand Ledge, Michigan, with his loving family by his side.
Cliff was born on June 7, 1930, in Alabaster, Michigan to the late Edmund and Mary (Wright) Grove. He grew up in the Alabaster and Tawas City area and attended Tawas Area Schools. In January of 1952, he enlisted into the United States Army, and he proudly served our country as a Corporal for two years. When Cliff was honorably discharged from the Army in 1953, he began his long career with General Motors. He spent the next 39 years primarily as an Automobile Inspector for General Motors until his retirement in 1993.
Cliff married the love of his life, Lila Marie Alexander in East Tawas, Michigan, and the two shared 67 wonderful years creating beautiful memories and raised two children together. Some of his favorite passions consisted of spending time with his family, attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events, hunting, and fishing.
Cliff is survived by his loving wife, Lila Grove of Grand Ledge; son, John (Kim) Grove of Eagle, Michigan and daughter, Mary Place of Eagle, Michigan; 5 grandchildren, Joseph (Tami) Patino, Nicholas (Megan) Patino, Sarah (Tyler) Pangle, Kristen (Austin) Garcia, and Hannah (Nick) Schuler; and 4 great-grandchildren, Jacob Patino, Maxwell Patino, Lucas Patino and Ivan Pangle. Cliff was looking forward to the arrival of his first great granddaughter, Baby Garcia who is due in May. In addition to his parents, Cliff is preceded in death by his siblings: Art Grove, Edmund Grove, Glenn Grove, Raymond Grove, Stella Proper, Beulah Weatherwax, Jean Maloney, Annette Rose, and Eldred Carey, along with son-in-law Lyle Place.
A private burial will take place for Cliff at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Tawas City, Michigan. You may leave an online condolence at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions may be given to the University of Michigan-Sparrow Hospice in Lansing, 1210 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI. 48915; or the Veterans Memorial Park in Tawas City, at Tawas City Hall, 550 West Lake Street, Tawas City, MI. 48763.
The family would like to thank the loving and compassionate care provided to Cliff by the University of Michigan – Sparrow Hospice team, in particular Bill, Raina and Mary.
