Howard H. Groot, 72, the owner of Toorg Limo in Wheeling, died of cancer Tuesday, Feb. 19, in his Wheeling home. Mr. Groot was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from Austin High School. Mr. Groot worked in sales in the early part of his career. He spent several years working as a salesman at Kraft Foods in Chicago in the 1950s. He later worked at Reliable Copy Services in Chicago for several years. Mr. Groot moved to Wheeling in 1956. In the early 1990s Mr. Groot opened Toorg Limo. He retired in 1998, but remained owner of the limousine service. His wife, Patricia, said her husband played softball until he was 60. Other survivors include six sons, Steve, Mike, Doug, Paul, Scott and Craig; three daughters, Debbie Patrick, Jackie and Lori; a sister, Gertrude Wascher; and 15 grandchildren. A visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, followed by a service at 10 a.m. Saturday in Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
