Eileen A. DeGroat

Wantage - Eileen A. De Groat, age 100, passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Bentley Assisted Living in Branchville. Born in Sussex to the late Eugene and Cora (Bross) Blackmore, Eileen went to a one room school house in Quarryville and Beemerville until the schools were merged to form the Wantage Consolidated School . After graduating from the first class of the Consolidated School, Eileen went to work at Dupont Powder Plant during World War II. She married Willard “Bill” DeGroat in 1944 and enjoyed 65 years of a full and happy married life together. Along with her husband, they farmed together side by side with their family in Wantage and Frankford Townships and continued farming the Plumsock farm in Wantage. She drove bus for 32 years and began this employment when their oldest son, “Hap” started school. Eileen always said she was blessed with a wonderful husband, three great children, and a loving and healthy family. She enjoyed having her family and friends around and was extremely loved by all she encountered. They enjoyed helping others and they raised a number of foster children that they continued to maintain friendships with as the years went by; especially the late Jeff Ashley and the late Diana Murdy. Eileen was an active member of the Beemerville Presbyterian Church for many years and served as a deacon in the church. Besides her parents, Eileen was predeceased by her loving husband, Willard “Bill” DeGroat on March 16, 2009; her brother, Eugene “Sonny” Blackmore on September 22, 2004; her grandson, Tucher L. DeGroat on May 12, 2019; her son-in-law, Bob DeYoung on October 12, 2018; and her daughter-in-law, Sandy Billowitz on November 28, 2023. Eileen is survived by her children, Willard “Hap” DeGroat and his wife Sherry, Dixie Lee DeYoung, and Roger Linn DeGroat; eleven grandchildren, many great grandchildren; several great great grandchildren; several special nieces; and many foster children. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. at Clove Cemetery on Friday, June 14, 2024. A time of fellowship and celebration of life service will immediately follow at the Beemerville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Alfred Jaegar, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Eileen’s memory to either Affinity Care Hospice, 140 Littleton Road, Suite 103, Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ 07054 or the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, 226 Route 519, Sussex, NJ 07461. Private cremation services have been entrusted to the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ. Online condolences may be offered to the family on www.pinkelfuneralhome.com

Eileen A. DeGroat

July 28, 1923 - June 7, 2024