Carol Joan Groh, age 76, of Winterset went to her heavenly home at 2:28 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, from the Morrison House – Genesis HeathCare System, under Hospice Care, in Zanesville, Muskingum County, Ohio after a courageous battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace.

Born Nov. 30, 1938 in Guernsey County, she was a daughter of the late Craig Raymond Ripley and Evelyn Lucile Phillips Ripley.

Following graduation from Madison High School in 1957, where she was involved in the band, played piano, and was an office assistant, she married her high school sweetheart, Millard “Skip” Groh on Jan. 1, 1959. She and Skip owned and operated Piedmont Marina until retirement in 1996. She attended Smyrna United Methodist Church and Winterset United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ and served as organist for both churches.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons and a daughter: Mark (Lorie) Groh of Freeport, Elaine (Robert) McWhirter of Columbus and Mel (Nancy) Groh of Cambridge; a brother, Harry “Duane” Ripley of West Chester; a sister, Beverly “Penny” Crock of Punta Gorda, Fla; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Betty Ripley.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, in Koch Funeral Home, 216 S High Street, Freeport with Pastor Kevin Anslow and Pastor David Koch officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmont Union Cemetery, Freeport. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. held in the funeral home on Friday, Nov. 6.

Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to cancer research. Online condolences may be made on the funeral home’s website www.kochfuneralhome.net.