H.E. "Butch" Groover, age 67 of Tipton, passed away at his winter home in Yuma, Arizona after a good, well-lived life.  He was born June 5, 1956 in Elwood, the son of Mary Frances (Hardebeck) and Frederick Eugene Groover.  Butch attended Elwood High School in the class of 1975 and later completed training with the Indiana Police Academy.  He worked as a deputy with the Tipton County Sheriff's office for 37 years and retired in 2015 with the rank of Captain.  Butch married Rhoda J. (Arnold) Wilburn on May 12, 1992, and they shared over 31 years of marriage together.

Butch was a member of White River Christian Church in Noblesville; a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police #109 in Tipton; and a member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368 where he enjoyed regular fellowship with friends.  He especially enjoyed coffee with his "cronies" at various restaurants in the area.  Butch never met a stranger and had a great sense of humor.  He never hesitated to help someone in need.  Butch enjoyed spending time with older people and helping them with various things.  He loved spending winter months in the warm climate of Yuma, Arizona.

Butch loved staying busy and working at his property; maintaining and managing Wilkins Cemetery near his home; and running Groover Excavating for over 25 years.  He currently served on the Madison Township Trustee Board and formerly served on the Tipton County Board of Health.  Butch owned and operated an ultra-lite aircraft as a hobby for a time and loved the freedom of flying.  He enjoyed auctions, dining out, visiting Amish communities like Shipshewana, and researching genealogy and family history.  More than anything, he loved being "Grandpa" and spending time with his grandkids and his dog, Leo.  Butch will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those he helped regularly.  He has been reunited in Heaven with his beloved son, Clint, and his parents.

Butch's family includes his wife, Rhoda Groover of Tipton; daughter, Morgan (Evan) Smith of Tipton; 2 step-sons, Clint Wilburn of Elwood and Tom (Andrea) Wilburn of Noblesville; 2 siblings, Don (Bev) Groover of Elwood and Mary (Mike) Harris of Elwood; 7 grandchildren, Keliah, Kaydence, Ethan, and Roman Smith, Alexis (Christian) Lawhorn, and Taylan and Craig Wilburn; mother-in-law, Joetta Arnold of Elwood; former spouse, Jo (Runyan) Mitchell of Elwood; brother-in-law, Nick Arnold (Tammy Reneau) of Elwood; and several nieces and nephews.

Butch was preceded in death by his mother and father; son, Clint Joseph Groover; 2 step-fathers, Fred "Jim" Roller and William "Bill" Tulowitzky; step-brother, Larry Roller; and father-in-law, Kenneth Arnold.

A funeral service celebrating Butch's life and legacy will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with family friend, Rich Leavell, officiating.  Burial will follow in Wilkins Cemetery in Tipton County with a Sheriff's Department escort and F.O.P. dedication at the gravesite.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3 to 7 pm on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Copher-Fesler-May ending with an Elks Lodge Memorial at 7:00 pm.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) program through the funeral home.