Anna M. Grove

Anna M. Grove, 104, of Shippensburg, passed away peacefully in her home on October 19, 2024, after a long and fruitful life of loving service to her family, church, and community. Born October 8, 1920, in Lancaster County, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Emma (Hostetter) Mellinger. In 1942, she married Walter W. Grove of Shippensburg, who preceded her in death in 1994. Together, they owned and operated a dairy farm on Clearfield Road.

Anna was a longtime member of Mt. Rock Brethren in Christ Church, Shippensburg, where she taught Sunday school for more than 30 years. Later, she joined Mission Hill Church in Chambersburg. She was deeply involved with Vacation Bible School, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Roxbury Holiness Camp, and she chaperoned a youth Bible quiz team to California in 1970 with husband Walter.

Anna was known for bringing an aesthetic touch to all she did. She especially loved a beautifully set table and a well-organized garden. Canning vegetables and arranging flowers was an art form, and ribbons won at the Shippensburg Fair were carefully recorded. As a gracious Pennsylvania Dutch cook and hostess, there was always room for one more at the table. If the meal was breakfast after the morning milking, it included family devotions. Well into her 90’s, Anna prepared most of the annual Thanksgiving dinner for over 30 members. She was especially known by the family for her sticky buns and her pies.

For years, Anna managed the farm accounts and helped with the milking into her 80’s. She also started and grew a field-to-table sweet corn business, to the delight of the community. Yet there was always time for a fierce Rook game with her grandchildren, which she won more frequently than she lost. Early cross-country trips, captured on film are treasured by her family. Later in her life, she traveled to Europe, and annually to Sarasota, Florida.

She is survived by her children; Dena Stoner and husband, Floyd, of Alexandria, VA, Carol Hoffman and husband, David, of Chambersburg, Jay Grove and wife, Peggy, of Newville, Jeffry Grove and wife, Linda, of Shippensburg and Colleen Savelkouls and husband, Rien, of the Netherlands. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren (one deceased); and brothers, Glenn Mellinger and wife, Kathy and Harold Mellinger and wife, Nancy, both of Mount Joy. Anna was preceded in death by her siblings Mary Gish, John Mellinger, Alvin Mellinger, Dorothy Byers, and Esther Musser.

The Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Dugan Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 51 Asper Drive, Shippensburg. Family will receive friends at Dugan Funeral Home on Monday, October 28 from 6:00-8:00 PM and one hour before the funeral service on Tuesday. A private burial service will take place at Mount Rock Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Child Evangelism Fellowship, 45 S. Broad Street, Waynesboro, PA 17268. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.DuganFH.com.