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Groff, Myron (d. 1977)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 28 Jul 1977 p. 6
Birth date:
text of obituary:
Lancaster, Pa.—The Rawlinsville Mennonite Church near Holtwood was filled to overflowing Sunday afternoon, July 10, for the funeral of 10-year-old Myron Groff, son of Elias and Marian Groff who sustained fatal injuries from a bolt of lightning.
The fatal incident took place July 6 during a heavy thunderstorm as Mr. Groff was taking six children home by truck from a cherry picking expedition. Seeing the approaching storm, he had instructed them to crouch in the open bed of the truck. He did not see the fatal bolt, but noticed one sharp clap of thunder. When he stopped, four of the children quickly clambered into the cab, but Myron and nine-year-old Celeste Thomas did not move.
The two were rushed to a nearby farm where artificial respiration was applied, and then by ambulance to St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster. Myron died the following afternoon, while the Thomas girl quickly recovered and was released from the hospital July 8.
Celeste Thomas of Reading had just arrived at the Groff farm for her third visit under the Eastern Mennonite Board's Fresh Air program. Also riding on the truck were the other two Groff children, Steven and Evonne, a 14-year-old cousin and a neighbor boy.