Allen Edward Grotke, 66, passed away at home on the morning of August 14, 2007 with family and a dear friend, Amy Oxley, by his side. A resident of Greenwood, IN for over 18 years, he was a founding partner in the law firm of Grotke and Bekes, with offices on Fry Road.
Mr. Grotke was born in Buffalo NY to Edward and Elsie Grotke (nee Haas) on July 10, 1941 and grew up in West Seneca NY. He attended Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN where he graduated with a B.A in 1963. While at Valparaiso he played on the baseball team and was a member of Phi Delta Theta.
After college Mr. Grotke joined the National Guard. He married Linda Rechlin in 1965 and in 1966 he went to work for General Electric in Cleveland, OH as a human resources director. While working at General Electric he began taking law school courses at Cleveland Sate University where he graduated with a J.D. in 1973.
In 1974 he began working as a labor relations lawyer for various companies in the Cleveland area until he moved to Greenwood in 1989 where he went into private practice. He was divorced in 1990. In 1991 he established a partnership with Gregory Bekes.
Mr. Grotke was a member of the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, The Ohio and Indiana Bar Associations, and was admitted to Federal Court and to the Supreme Courts in Ohio and Indiana. He was also the founder of JCERRA (Johnson County Employment Relationships Association).
Mr. Grotke was an active and committed member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Greenwood, IN for many years and, together with Pastor John Flamme, founded Christ Care Small Group ministry and served as a facilitator and equipper from 2000-2006. Mr. Grotke was executive director of the church and served on the Parish planning counsel from 1994 to 2000. Al''s compassionate leadership and wisdom will be greatly missed at Concordia.
Mr. Grotke is survived by two daughters, Kelly Grotke (Marc Shepard) of Evanston, IL and Robin Grotke of High Point, NC; two sisters Catherine Andes ( Ron) of Middleburg Heights, OH and Constance Carter of Covina, CA; two nephews, Brian Andes and Jonathan Carter: and a niece Christina Carter. He was preceded in death by his parents and by a nephew, Christopher Andes.
Visitation will be on Sunday, August 19 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 1977 South SR 135, Greenwood, IN. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 20 in Concordia Lutheran Church, 305 N. Howard Rd., Greenwood, IN. A graveside service will be held at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Lorain, OH.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Caring for Carcinoid Foundation (www.caringforcarcinoid.org),1 Kendall Square TMB 180, Cambridge, Mass 02139; and Concordia Lutheran, Concordia Cares Fund, 305 N. Howard Rd., Greenwood, Indiana 46142 www.forestlawncemetary-fh.com