Emil J. Groleau, age 86, of 9704 Hwy. 2, Rapid River/Ensign, died Friday morning May 6, 2005 at the Christian Park Health Care Facility in Escanaba.

Emil was born August 26, 1918, in St. Jacques, MI, the son of Omer and Florestine (Sabourin) Groleau.  He was raised in St. Jacques and attended the St. Jacques schools.  On November 27, 1941, Emil married the former Eldora Larson in Garden, MI.  Shortly after their marriage, Emil was drafted into the United States Army Air Corp. where he served under the ambulance detail during WWII.  Emil was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp. in 1945.  At that time, he returned to the St. Jacques area and began his job working road construction.  Emil worked for Snowden Construction Company for 17 years and for other various construction companies throughout the U.P.  In 1967, Emil went to work for the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier.  He remained with the postal service until eventually retiring in the late 1980’s.  Emil enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping with his wife Eldora and spending time outdoors.  He belonged to the Rapid River American Legion Post # 301 and he loved spending time with his family and grandchildren. 

Emil leaves to survive:

1 Son:  Earl (Mary) Groleau of Escanaba, MI

1 Daughter:  Barb (Dennis) Parrott of Mt. Vernon, WA

5 Brothers:  Rosario (Donnella) Groleau of St. Jacques, MI; Gerald Groleau of St. Jacques, MI; Leo (Meryle) Groleau of Nahma, MI; Gary (Sandy) Groleau of Cornell, MI; Wade (Marlene) Groleau of St. Jacques, MI

4 Sisters:  Leila Mosier of Escanaba, MI; Rita LaBumbard of Rapid River, MI; Rosaline Plas of St. Jacques, MI; Anita (Edward) Lamberg of Rapid River, MI

7 Grandchildren:  Scott (Carrie) Groleau, Chanin (Todd Nault) Groleau, Bryce (Cindy) Groleau, Shane (Traci) Parrott, Joshua Parrott, Nicholas Parrott and Jacob Parrott

4 Great Grandchildren:  Todd Anthony Nault, Alexandra Parrott, Hunter Parrott and Leah Parrott

1 Brother in Law:  Martin (Sharon) Larson of Americus, GA

Special Friend:  Doreen Mercier of St. Jacques, MI

In addition to his parents, Omer and Florestine and his wife Eldora, Emil was preceded in death by: 

2 Brothers:  Rudolph and Edward Groleau

2 Sisters:  Irene Clement and Loretta Pomeroy

Family will receive friends on Monday from 3:00PM to 6:00PM at the St. Charles Church in Rapid River.  Funeral services celebrating the life of Emil Groleau will follow visitation, at the church, at 6:00PM, with Deacon Rod Groleau and Fr. Jacek Wtyklo officiating.  Luncheon will be in the St. Charles Parish Hall.  Committal will be on Tuesday at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Wells.  The Rapid River American Legion Post #301 will conduct military rites, at the cemetery, on Tuesday.  The Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Groleau family with arrangements.