Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

Harry L. Ground, 84, of Princeton, IL, formerly of Decatur, IL , passed peacefully with family by his side on December 25, 2011. He was born on March 11, 1927 to Paul R. and Bonnie (Nihiser) Ground Harris in Dalton City, IL. His loving wife of 64 years, Carol J. Ground, passed on July 20, 2011. Harry (Beck) is the father of Lynn (Maria Ines) Ground of Lawrence, KS, Carolyn (Crane) Schafer of Princeton, and Jackie (Dene) Lencioni of Saugatuck, MI.
Harry was the proud grandfather of Cristian Ground, Amy (Jeff) Scott, Joshua Ground, Michael (Jamie) Schafer, Jordan Schafer, Matthew Schafer, and Luke Lencioni. Also surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Phyllis Ground of Decatur, cousins Theda May and Fran Yocum, also of Decatur, Connie Phelps, and Margaret Craycroft, along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his parents and stepfather, Ted Harris, and by his brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Connie Ground of Decatur.
Harry enlisted in the Navy at age 17, studied at Iowa State University to be a Navy electrician, and served in the Pacific Theater on the Battleship New Jersey. He participated in numerous key battles, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the Japanese surrender, he was assigned to the Japanese cruiser, Sakawa, and then stationed in Tokyo. Upon returning home, he married Carol Riggins on September 10, 1947, in Decatur.
Harry entered Millikin University and received his degree in business administration in 1950. While studying, he began his career with Archer Daniels Midlands in 1949 as an accounting clerk. Harry served ADM in various capacities, most notably in soybean processing and management. His career took him throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia; he also resided in Brazil. He retired as a vice president after 41 years. After retiring, Harry continued consulting with ADM worldwide, living at times in China and Paraguay.
During his tenure at ADM and in his personal life, Harry mentored many. He had high expectations of others but never more than he expected of himself. He had a life-long interest in politics, was a voracious reader, and was respected for his honesty, wisdom, and integrity.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Webster Cantrell Hall in Decatur, IL, the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, or the United States Navy Memorial in Washington DC.
Norberg Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at www.norbergfh.com.