James L. Grover Print

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White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644


Rowley – James L. Grover, 87 years old, of rural Rowley, Iowa, died on Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Lexington Estate in Independence.  He was born on August 1, 1931, in Homer Township of Buchanan County, Iowa, the son of John Devere and Martha Elizabeth (Basquin) Grover.  He graduated from high school in Rowley with the Class of 1949.  On June 10, 1950, he and the former Colleen Carrie Morrissey were married at All Saints Catholic Church in Rowley.  She preceded him in death in 2015.  Mr. Grover farmed all of his life.  He also was a DeKalb Seed dealer.  He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence and was formerly a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Rowley, the Independence Community School Board, and the Knights of Columbus.  He enjoyed time spent managing his apartments in Rowley.

Mr. Grover is survived by 7 daughters, Julie (Larry) Carver of Walker, Iowa, Jeanette Spears and Joan (Jeff) Wieland, both of Independence, Iowa, Jane (Kurt) Rich of Vinton, Iowa, Janice (Ron) Ohl and Jalleen (Jeff Franck) Grover, both of Rowley, and Judy (Jack) Simmons of Phoenix, Arizona, 4 sons, Joel (Mary) Grover, Jimmy (Robin) Grover, and Mike Grover, all of Rowley, and Jeff (Rose) Grover of Independence, 47 grandchildren, and 48 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by 1 brother, Max (Charlotte) Grover of Rowley, 2 sisters, Ruby Marks and Ruth Hanson, both of Rowley, 1 daughter-in-law, Porcia Grover of Independence and 1 sister-in-law, Shirley Grover of Cedar Rapids.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, 2 sons, John Grover and James Grover, Jr. (in infancy), 1 sister, Gladys Corkery, and 3 brothers, Guy Grover, William Grover, and Leland Grover (in infancy).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 21, 2018, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  Rev. David Beckman will be the Celebrant.  Burial will be in Rowley Cemetery in Rowley, Iowa.  Friends may call for visitation from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence where a Parish Rosary begins at 3 p.m. and a Vigil Service begins at 7:30 p.m.