Ronald Francis “Van” VanGrootenbruel
Ronald Francis “Van” VanGrootenbruel, 74, of Butler passed away at 9:50 p.m. Saturday at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.
He was born Sept. 2, 1939, in Butler to the late Frank VanGrootenbruel and Mary (Adelman) VanGrootenbruel.
Van was a graduate of Butler High School and a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a private in Alabama.
He worked at Pullman Standard for 24 years and was the owner of Van's Sporting Goods for 35 years to the present.
Van was a member of the Moose Lodge 64, the NRA and the Summit Township Sportsman Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, turtle hunting, cooking and spending time with his family and friends.
Mr. VanGrootenbruel is survived by his wife, Katherine J. (Ottobre) VanGrootenbruel, who he married Oct. 7, 1961; two sons, Ronald F. VanGrootenbruel Jr. and David M. VanGrootenbruel, both of Butler; one grandson, Tyler J. VanGrootenbruel; three sisters, Alene Sauerland and her husband, Bill, of Spring Hill, Fla., Louise Goehring of Butler and Nancy Beckmann and her husband, Joe, of Spring Hill, Fla.; four nieces; 10 nephews; and a number of great nieces and nephews.
VANGROOTENBRUEL — Friends of Ronald Francis “Van” VanGrootenbruel, who died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the THOMPSON-MILLER FUNERAL HOME, 124 E. North St., Butler.A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Saint Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., Butler, with Father Harry R. Bielewicz, officiating.The bereavement group of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish will meet at the funeral home at 3 p.m. Wednesday for a vigil service. Burial will take place in the St. Michael's Cemetery.Memorial donations are suggested to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
