Marion J. Grupe, daughter of George Tikalsky and Elizabeth "Elsie" Rosinski. Born May 1, 1924 at home in the west side of Chicago. Wife and best friend of Howard for 63 1/2 years. She is now united with the Lord and Howard in heaven.

Marion did not finish high school but started working at an early age. In 1942 she worked for Crane Company. A plumbing company converted to a defense plant during the war. There she met Howard and they were married in 1947. She then worked for Encyclopedia Britannica for 11 years. From then she went to Cosmetology School and became a hairdresser. Soon after Howard went to school and became a hair dresser. They worked in their own Beauty Shop in Wheaton for over 30 years.

They had two loving devoted children. A daughter, Gay R. Grupe of Wheaton and son Tracy A. (Durell Shellhamer) Grupe of Breinigsville, PA.
Marion loved to cook and bake and she was a die hard Cubs fan. She loved to watch all the games. She and Howard enjoyed going to the casinos, they loved the slots. Win or lose, it was a fun day.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Thomas (Nancy) Tikalsky; sister, LaVerne (Norfe) Borsellino; sister Shirley (Richard) Gonzalez; a brother-in-law Wilbur "Bud" Ahlgrim; a sister-in-law Elaine Ahlgrim.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187 where a service will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, 4335 Carlton Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, or West Suburban Humane Society, a no kill shelter, 1901 West Ogden Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515.

For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.