Theon Grojean

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Theon Francis Grojean, 78, of Sikeston died Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2002, at his home.

He was born March 27, 1924, at New Hamburg, Mo., son of Theon Charles and Ida Menz Grojean. He and Wilma Catherine LeGrand were married Jan. 20, 1945, in Houston, Texas.

Grojean received a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1949.

A registered professional engineer and a registered professional architect, he owned Grojean Architect and Engineers. He designed and engineered numerous buildings throughout the Southeast Missouri area.

Grojean served as an alderman and vice mayor on Sikeston City Council in the 1960s. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Ron Grojean of Jackson, Bob Grojean of Sikeston, Theon Grojean Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Gary Grojean of Blue Springs, Mo.; four daughters, Marilyn Schwaninger of Sikeston, Suzi Bach of Memphis, Tenn., Jeanne Burke of Charleston, Mo., and Kathy Love of Wentzville, Mo.

Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Grojean of New Hamburg, Francis Grojean of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Rita Staebel of Kelso, Mo., Sybilla Cresap of Advance, Mo., Corona Kelpe of Cape Girardeau; 22 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four sisters.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A prayer service will be held at 7:30.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Xavier Church, with the Rev. Stephen Schneider officiating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery at New Hamburg.