Ellis Irvin DeGroff, 93, of Rabun Gap, GA, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2014.

Born in Nunda, NY, he was the son of the late Leslie DeGroff and Jennie DeMocker DeGroff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Sandra DeGroff Morris; two grandchildren, Kyle Morris and Reagan Morris and three brothers, Leslie DeGroff, Jr., Herbert DeGroff and Edward DeGroff. Ellis was a Captain in the US Army Air Corps, he was a P47 (Thunderbolt) Pilot during WWII and flew 79 combat missions in the European Theater, 6 missions were on D Day at Normandy. He was a graduate of Cornell University; retired from NCR and then operated DeGroff Business Machines until 2000.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Freda Harris DeGroff; three children, Susan DeGroff of West Palm Beach, FL, Richard (Pamela) DeGroff of Rabun Gap, GA and Robin (Gary) Sallenbach of Lake Worth, FL; grandchildren, Ty Cone (Michael Hartwyk) of NY, NY, Brian Cone of West Palm Beach, FL, Collette (Dan)Campbell of Tallahassee, FL, Jason (Erin) DeGroff of Tallahassee, FL, Shaun DeGroff of Royal Palm Beach, FL, Justin (Nicole) Sallenbach of Royal Palm Beach, FL and Aubrey Sallenbach of Lake Worth, FL; great grandchildren, Ashley Campbell, D.J. Campbell and Jessica Campbell all of Tallahassee, FL; a sister, Sarah Swyers of Perry, NY and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 25 at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church. Rev. G. Donald (Don) Barber will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The ARC of Palm Beach County, FL (Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged) 1665 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. http://www.arcpbc.org/
or United Hospice of Gainesville, 700 S. Enota Drive, NE #202, Gainesville, GA 30501.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com