Herbert Groves, 95 of rural New Sharon passed away Sunday afternoon, October 11, 2020 at the Oskaloosa Care Center. Graveside funeral services will begin at 11:00 am Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the Union Mills Cemetery at Union Mills. For those whom desire, a procession will form at the funeral home at 10:45 am to go to the cemetery. Following the service a luncheon will be held in the Union Mills Christian Church Fellowship Hall.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in New Sharon where the family will not be present. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Mills Christian Church or the Union Mills Cemetery. Holland-Coble Funeral Home of New Sharon is in charge of arrangements.

Herbert Ray Groves was born on June 30, 1925 at his home in Mahaska County to William Thomas "W.T." and Effie (Woods) Groves. He graduated from Lacey High School. Following graduation, he began his life career of farming the home place. On June 3, 1946, Herbert was united in marriage to Nina Jane Cox at the Christian Church in Oskaloosa. To this union one daughter was born, Marsha Ann.

Herbert absolutely loved farming and couldn't wait for this year's harvest. He told his family that he wanted to live to see this year's harvest but that wasn't God's plan this fall. Herbert and Nina kept busy by raising registered Angus cattle, hogs, they milked cows, raised chickens and a had a huge garden along with several acres of row crop. Nina was always by his side helping him with the farming operations. Together they enjoyed fishing on the North Skunk River, taking numerous fall fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota with their friends and neighbors. They also played 13 Point Pitch, Pepper and Rook with neighbors and family. On any given morning, you could find Herbert and Nina playing cards and having morning coffeetime.

Herbert was a loving and caring father, grandfather and great grandfather. He enjoyed attending almost all of the activities their three grandchildren participated that included: baseball, softball, football, track, volleyball, choir, band and jazz band. They continued to follow their three grandchildren during their activities at Iowa State University and they also took great delight in their eight great grandchildren.

After retirement in the late 1980's, you would find Herbert and Nina taking their daily pickup drives around the neighborhood to check on the crops and observe the farmers during the planting and harvest season, or make trips to the New Sharon Dairy Crème to get Nina an ice cream cone. After Nina went to the care center, Herbert would make his 2 to 3 times a day pickup trek around the neighborhood to once again check on the crops, so wishing he could have helped in the planting and harvest. He had three house kitties at home: Little Orphan Annie, Peanut and P2 "Peanut 2" which kept him company.

He steadfastly and lovingly took care of his wife, Nina, through progression with Alzheimer's until his hip surgery required, her to become a resident at the Oskaloosa Care Center two and a half years ago.

Herbert's legacy is honored by his daughter, Marsha (Allen) Haworth; his grandchildren, Troy (Deidra) Haworth of Snohomish, WA, Adam (JoAnn) Haworth of Louisville, NE and Lara (Chris) Widdig of Cambridge, NY; along with his eight great grandchildren, Chloe, Blake and Luke Haworth; Waylan and Holly Haworth; and Crew, Wade and Sky Widdig. He is also survived by two nieces, Carole Tindle of Montezuma and Rebecca Eddy of Marshall, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. and Effie Groves, his sister, Wilma (George) Springer; two nephews, Greg Springer and Norman Ketels; his sister and brother-in-law, Lucille and Harry Ketels and a niece, Janice Ketels.