Joshua James Grossnickle

Joshua James Grossnickle, age 37, died unexpectedly at his home in Sylva, NC on November 10, 2010.  He was born on June 16, 1973 in Marshalltown, IA, to James and Janice Grossnickle who were residents of Reinbeck, IA.  The family then resided in Centerville, Danville, and Fertile, IA.  In October 1989, the family moved to Liberty, NC where Joshua graduated from Eastern Randolph High School in 1991.  He then attended Randolph Community College, UNC-Wilmington, and graduated with BS in a Biology from UNC-Greensboro in 1996.  Joshua was employed by the Student Conservation Association and the National Park Service in Gatlinburg, TN, where he met his future wife Heather Stehle.  The couple was married September 14, 2002 and divorced January 8, 2008.  In January 2001, Joshua was employed by Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC and continued until his untimely death.  A memorial service was held November 13, 2010 in the Maple Room of the Cherokee Casino Hotel.  Joshua was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Marie Herink of Gladbrook, IA and paternal grandfathers, Elvin Thede of Gladbrook, IA and Robert Grossnickle of Des Moines, IA.  Joshua is survived by his paternal grandmother Darlene Thede, resident of Liberty Commons Care Center in Burlington, NC, his mother Janice Grossnickle of Liberty, NC, his father James Grossnickle of Mebane, NC, his older brother Jamey Grossnickle of Ankeny, IA, his two sisters Jori Pike of Cameron, NC and Jacee Farmer of Burlington, NC, three nieces, Kaila and Braidyn Pike, and Brennen Farmer, two nephews, Landan Farmer and Jackson Grossnickle, and his beloved German Sheppard, Jango. Memorials in Joshua’s name are being accepted by the family to donate to a wildlife conservation program which he so avidly supported during his life.  Donations can be sent to Gro-Smart, LLC, 250 S. Churton St, Hillsborough, NC  27278.