Leroy Albert McGrew passed away August 7th, 2023. He was born on All Saints Day, November 1st, 1938, in Galva, Illinois. He is the son of Irene (Youngberg) and LeRoy Edwin McGrew who farmed near Oneida, in Knox County Illinois.
Leroy was educated in the ROVA schools graduating in 1956, where he received high honors and was awarded the American Legion Award for outstanding citizenship. He also was nominated to attend Boys State, a state citizenship program. LeRoy continued his education at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he participated in the marching and concert bands as well as ROTC. In 1960 he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors and was inducted to Phi Beta Kappa, a national education society. He then completed masters and doctoral degrees in chemistry from the University of Iowa, graduating in 1964.
Roy married his High School classmate and love of his life, Carol J Brown of Oneida, Illinois, on June 2, 1963. They lived for a year in Wilmington, Delaware, while LeRoy completed an internship with Dupont. They are blessed to have shared 60 years of marriage.
LeRoy taught Chemistry at Ball State University for 13 years, moving to Cedar Falls Iowa in 1977, where he was Head of the chemistry department for 15 years. He retired in 2000 and moved with Carol to Lake Thunderhead in Unionville, MO where Roy is known for his presentations on guns and the civil war. He served as choir director of Unionville United Methodist Church and enjoyed participating in the men’s group there. Spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing, boating, and watching wildlife at the lake brought him hours of pleasure.
Leroy was preceded in death by his son Leroy Andrew McGrew, his parents mentioned above, and his parents-in-law Clark and Francis Brown, both of Oneida Il.
LeRoy leaves his wife Carol (Brown) McGrew of Unionville MO, his son Clark (Lynette) McGrew with grandchildren Rylan & Zachary of Kahoka MO, his daughter Laura McGrew (Scott Gobber) with granddaughter Lucia Gobber of Kansas City, MO and his daughter-in-law Savanna Alliband-McGrew with grandchildren Addison and Ansel of Livermore CA, and a sister, Ann (Davd) Gray, Auburn Hills, Michigan.
We are thankful for the love he gave us and the love we could share with him.
Funeral service was Friday August 11, at Unionville Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Barb Hagerla conducted the service with scripture readings by Toni McCloud and Marge Krigbaum. Terry Smejkal was the soloist with three congregational selections accompanied by Carla Cullor. Casket bearers were Rylan McGrew, Zachary McGrew, Lucia Gobber, Addison McGrew, Ansel McGrew, John Dowdall, and Garth Youngberg. Honorary casket bearers were Nate Micetich, Gary McCloud, Carl Schnelle, John Sager, Barry Mead, Bob Smith, Doug Klinginsmith, and Drew Lewis. Interment was Saturday August 12 at the Altona Cemetery, Altona IL.
The family requests no flowers but donations may be made to Unionville United Methodist Church or the McGrew Faculty Scholarship fund at the University of Northern Iowa and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.
