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Shirley T. Groce, 85, of Mifflintown, passed away at 6:25 p.m., on Thursday, April 1, 2021, at her home.
Born on May 24, 1935, in Walker Twp., Juniata County, she is a daughter of the late Howard D. "Buzz" and Virginia W. (Jones) Renninger, Sr. On Aug. 8, 1961, she married her late husband, Richard C. "Pete" Groce with whom she was blessed to share 28 years of marriage, before he preceded her in death on Sept. 3, 1989.
Surviving are: daughters, Kelli J. Houtz and husband, James, Jodi L. Reed and husband, Mark, all of Mifflintown; sisters, Helen A. "Sis" Leach, of Mifflintown, V. Sue Pontius and her husband Marvin, of Thompsontown; a sister-in-law, Carol A. Renninger, of Mifflintown; two brothers-in-law, Timothy Gray, Charles Swartwood, both of Mifflintown, three grandchildren, Jacob J. Houtz and his companion, Lexi Shellenberger, Jennifer L. Houtz and Lilli J. Reed and several generations of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Howard D. "Butch" Renninger, Jr., and two sisters, Patricia L. "Pat" Swartwood and Donna M. Gray and a granddaughter, Jessica Houtz.
She was a 1953 graduate of Juniata Joint High School, Mifflintown, whose memberships included the Ladies Aux. of the Millerstown Moose Lode No. 925, the Ladies Aux. of the American Legion Post No. 295 where she had volunteered in the kitchen for many years and she was a member of the Ladies Aux. Crawford-Brubaker Post No. 5863, both of Mifflintown.
In earlier life, she was employed by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Harrisburg, after which she raised her family by traveling with her late husband, who was a stunt car driver with the Jack Kochman Hell Drivers Thrill Show and later with the Hollywood Stunt World Show and several Canadian shows. While she was traveling with the shows, she served as the mother and nurse to everyone associated with the shows. After traveling with the shows, she retired from the clerical department of Empire Kosher Poultry Inc., Mifflintown.
Shirley always loved playing pinochle with her sisters and family. She had a gift for cooking and will long be remembered especially her macaroni salad, potato salad and coleslaw. She loved preparing for the holidays as well as entertaining friends and family throughout the year. Finally everyone was always welcome to her front porch.
A public graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021, from the St. Stephens Cemetery, Licking Creek with the Rev. Graham C. Fowler officiating.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Groce's memory, to the Mifflintown Hose Co. No. 1, 510 Washington Ave. Mifflintown PA 17059.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brown Funeral Homes Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintiown.
Online tributes and condolences may be sent at www.brownfuneralhomesinc.com. stinefuneralhome.com.