Lawrence Louis Grotha Sr. of St. James, Missouri passed away on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri. He was 86 years and 7 days of age.

Lawrence was born on August 31, 1922 in St. James, Missouri to his parents: William Thomas and Clara C. (Sanders) Grotha. He was united in marriage to Betty Jane Malone on September 13, 1947 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri.

Lawrence was a well known carpenter; and farmer. He worked at the St. James School and retired after 25 years there. He was also a 25 year member of St. James - Rosati Council of Knights of Columbus. He served in the US Army in WW II , acquiring the rank of Master Sargent.

Surviving Lawrence is his wife of the home: Betty Jane (Malone) Grotha of St. James, Missouri; one son: Lawrence Louis Grotha Jr. of St. James, Missouri; one daughter: Susan Frances Bennington and husband Les of Glenrock, Wyoming; one brother: Joseph W. Grotha of St. James, Missouri; and one sister: Lillian Audry of St. Charles, Missouri; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends. Lawrence will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Preceding Lawrence in death is his parents: William Thomas and Clara C. (Sanders) Grotha; and one sister Marcella Marie Grotha (Sister Seraphine a School Sister of Notre Dame.)

Services
Visitation for Lawrence will be held from 6 - 8 PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at the Jones Funeral Home Chapel in St. James, Missouri. Prayer services will be held at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

Funeral Mass for Lawrence will be conducted at 10 AM on Thursday, September 11, 2008 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. James, Missouri with Father David J. Veit officiating. Ministry of music is Helen Cornick with Estelle Grotha at the organ. Pallbearers will be Randy Ray, Buck Bennington, Jeremy Bennington, Danny Webster, Brian Webster and Don Hughes. Burial with full Military Honors will be in the family plot in the St. James Catholic Cemetery in St. James, Missouri.

Memorials are suggested to the St. James Rosati Council of Knights of Columbus of which he was a member for over 25 years.

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, Missouri.