Published on December 26, 2025 6:18 am
Last Updated on December 26, 2025 8:12 am
Donald Dean Groves, 94, of rural Mattoon (Paradise Township), Illinois passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born July 21,1931 in Mattoon, Illinois the son of Glen and Vera (Phelps) Groves. Don married Ida Mae Beals, May 19,1955 in Trilla, Illinois they were married for 70 years. Don retired from Anamet in Mattoon, after 39 years, where he worked as a tool and die maker and machinist. After retiring, he worked as a courier at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center for 20 years. Mr. Groves proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, ending his time of service as sergeant. Don was an active member of the Good Prospect Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Trilla, where he was an elder for 53 years, a Sunday school teacher, song leader, camp director, and a board member and moderator for the North Central Presbytery Synod. He was a member of the Mattoon American Legion. Don loved singing gospel music and enjoyed attending southern gospel concerts. He was a coin collector, hobby farmer, enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles and proudly built his own homestead. Don was a man of deep faith and could often be found studying his Bible. He loved spending time with family. Don’s smile and contagious laughter filled the room. Don’s family fondly remembers that he didn’t just talk about his faith; he lived it every single day, creating a “Paradise” right here on earth through his love for Jesus, his family, and the USA… He has
moved on from Paradise to his eternal “Paradise in Heaven”.
He is survived by his wife, Ida Mae Groves of rural Mattoon; children: Bradley Dean (Susan) Groves of Trilla, John Edward (Kathy) Groves of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kimberly Gay (Steve) Wheeler of Trilla, Doneda Mae (Jim) Wallace of Trilla, and Delight JaNee (Kenneth) Hopson of Kampala, Uganda, East Africa; grandchildren: Adam (Amanda) Groves, David (Amy) Groves, Valerie Groves, Greg (Marie) Groves, John Calvin (Kym) Groves, Laura (Chris) Fowler, Daniel (Tiffany) Groves, Beki (JR) Hodges, Nathan (Jordan) Wheeler, Matthew (Heather) Wallace, Heather (Kenny) Haggard, Justin (Tiffany) Wallace, Kaleb (Daelynn) Hopson, Austin (Sarah) Hopson and Emilee Hopson, 34 great-grandchildren, sisters: Marilyn Spencer and Carol Blankenship.
He was preceded in death by his parents, in laws Harold and Ada Beals, sisters: Nina (Roger) Ewing, Patty (Donald) Spencer, Kay Groves, brothers-in-law: Delbert Spencer, Harrison Blankenship, and great-granddaughter Jocelyn Groves.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, December 27, 2025, in the Good Prospect Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with a visitation one hour prior to services. A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, December 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the Swengel – O’Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, Illinois. Burial with Military Services by the Neoga American Legion will follow in the Beals Cemetery rural Trilla. Memorials may be made to the Good Prospect Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 301 Trilla Rd, Trilla, Illinois 62469.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.swengel-odell.com.