Obituaries
Obituary for Walter John Groller
Walter John Groller, died July 17, 2023 at his home in Whitehall, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Marilyn (Schweitzer) Groller, and celebrated 67 years of marriage together.
Born in Allentown, he was a son to John Jr. and Hattie (Hacker) Groller. Walt served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion and Catholic War Vets.
Walt enjoyed a 72 year long career as a professional musician, retiring in 2018 and attained national and international recognition carrying out his motto “Bringing People Together Through Music”. Starting at age 14, Walt was the leader of the Walt Groller Orchestra. Walt will be remembered for his famous Walt Groller Tours: 34 European Tours, 27 years of Christmas Weekends in the Poconos, 31 Cruises and US land tours. During his career, Walt produced over 30 recordings, did live radio at WKAP for 10 years and produced several shows, including The German Hour on WFMZ Radio and Cafe International on TV with WFMZ for 7 years.
He was the recipient of Austrian Cross of Recognition in 1981 from the Burgenland Government, and was awarded a Diploma of Honor from Robert Stolz Society that same year. Walt was inducted into the Polka Music Hall of Fame, was a member of the International Polka Association and was nominated for a Grammy Award for his recording “Polkamatic. Walt received the Gold Cross from the Republic of Austria recognizing his work in keeping the Austrian heritage alive as well as the European American Music Award Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cross of Appreciation from Burgenland, Austria.
Accolades over the years include certificates of honor from President’s Reagan, Clinton and G.W. Bush along with many state and local awards. He received the Linny Award for Performing Artist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame.
In his spare time, Walt loved gardening and was a railroad train and tractor enthusiast.
Above all he was a family man and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him and the music he created.
Surviving along with his wife, Marilyn are his 3 children: Thomas and his wife Judy, Anita and husband Michael Patterson, Joseph and wife Ellen. Grandchildren, Christi and husband Zack Farr, Broc Groller and Alex Groller and two Great Grandchildren. sister Dolores, wife of Dr. Edward Krupa and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brother his William.
His viewing will be held Friday July 21, 2023, from 6-8pm at Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. 327 Chestnut St. Coplay PA 18037. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am Saturday July 22, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi R.C.C., 1046 W Cedar St, Allentown, PA 18102. Interment to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Coplay.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation of America, PO Box 200989, Dallas, TX, 75320-0989 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to be handling the arrangements.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
21
Jul
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc.
327 Chestnut Street
Coplay, PA 18037
Additional parking is available across Chestnut Street in the Giant Supermarket parking lot. In addition, the calling period will not be televised.
Funeral Service
Saturday
22
Jul
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St Francis of Assisi Church
1046 W. Cedar Street
Allentown, PA 18102
Please be advised that there will not be a calling period prior to the mass.
Cemetery Details
Location
St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery
Hokendauqua St. and St, Peters
Whitehall, PA 18052
Memorial Contribution
Alzheimer's Association
Lung Cancer Foundation of America
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