Harlus R. Grooms

A Memorial Visitation for Harlus R. Grooms, 63, of Palatine, will be held on Monday, September 28, 2015 from 3:00 to 8:00pm at the Ahlgrim Family Funeral Home 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine.

Harlus was born on November 3, 1951 in a log cabin on Patton Hill in Oakman, Alabama.  He passed away unexpectedly on September 24, 2015 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

As a young man, Harlus decided to move to Illinois to seek an opportunity for a more enriched life, shortly there after he married and started a family.  He was a successful self-taught machinist for many years, starting with McClean Fogg in Mundelein, IL.  He was most recently employed with Acco in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  He loved working with his hands whether it was in the garden that he cherished and tended to for so many years to wood working in his workshop.  His favorite catch phrase was “I can make that!” no matter the size of the project at hand.  A breadbox – no problem, a swing for the backyard – no problem, “I can make that!” he would say.  Harlus loved spending time with family and friends.  He looked forward to his annual fishing trips with Jason and Tom and we always enjoyed hearing the tall tales when they returned.  They always seemed to catch “the one that got away”.  Harlus loved cooking and created many homemade gallon sized pickled veggies and other delicious dishes.  He was most proud of his homemade pickles.  He could talk about anything with just about anyone.  He would share stories and make everyone laugh.  He was a funny and lovable man who will be missed by many.

Harlus was the beloved fiancée of Janet ‘Bubba’ Michener; devoted father of Beverly (late Nicholas) Antoszek, Crystal (Jason) Scott, John Grooms; step-father of Trisha (Kirk) Kaczor, Deborah Nyhus, Suzanne (Nicholas) Cavaliero, Kenneth Michener, Thomas Michener.  He is the loving grandfather of Nicholas, Jeremy, Brielle, Shelby, Harley, Kyle, Isabella, Arianna, and Nicholas III.  Harlus is survived by his brother Edward (Nur) Grooms and preceded in death by his parents Sherman and Mary Irene (née Baker) and his brothers James Ronald, Donald and his sister Rachel.