Dewey R. Gronau Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Dewey R. Gronau, 92, of Bloomington, Illinois, formerly of Farmer City, Illinois, passed away at 4:20 A.M. Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at the Martin Health Center in Bloomington, Illinois. His funeral service will be held at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City, Illinois, with Rev. B. Elliott Renfroe officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Farmer City, Illinois. Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Farmer City United Methodist Church or CDKL5. Dewey was born on November 29, 1930, in Rockford, Illinois, a son of John C. and Gertrude E. Beresford Gronau. He married Betty J. Nelson on December 17, 1950, in Rockford, Illinois. She passed away September 24, 2003. He is survived by his two daughters, Gail Warren of Merritt Island, Florida, and Cindy (Brent) Hawn of Farmer City, Illinois; six grandchildren, Natalie (Ryan) Beckley; Blair (Kelly) Hawn; Carly (Damien) Schlitt; Jacklynn Stroz; Julie (Jeremy) Johnson; and Jessica (Tony) Bharrat; and eleven great-grandchildren, Kennedy Beckley; Keeley Beckley; Ryker Beckley; Kyndal Beckley; Parker Hawn; Issac Hawn; Audra Hawn; Maddie Stroz; Austin Schlitt; Addie Schlitt; and Theodore Bharrat. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and great-grandson, Mikey Stroz. Dewey graduated from East Rockford High School, Illinois College in 1952, and received his Master's Degree from the University of Illinois in 1953. Dewey and Betty moved to Farmer City in 1953, where he taught Social Studies. In 1959, he became principal at Moore High School and remained at the High School until 1974. He enjoyed is career, which included teaching Economics, working with the Student Council, directing plays and musicals and always remaining in the classroom. Betty and Dewey also operated "Dewey's" Drive In for 35 years. Dewey's was a gathering place for people to come from miles around. In 1991, Dewey joined the Smith-Johanns Insurance Agency in Farmer City and remained there until 2009. Betty and Dewey loved to travel. Dewey was active in the Farmer City United Methodist Church for 55 years. After moving to Bloomington, Illinois in 2008, he became an active member of the 2nd Presbyterian Church. He was an avid bridge player and bridge was his avocation for 60 years. He was a Cubs fan and Bears fan. His love of family was, however, his favorite pastime and that of which he was most proud of.