Guriqbal Singh Grewal, 76, of Sparta died unexpectedly Wednesday, February 27, 2008 while vacationing with his wife in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

 Sigh was born on July 15, 1931 in the village of Naranqwal, state of Punjab, India to Chetan Singh and Harmail Kaur Grewal. He received his early education and bachelor’s degree in India. Singh came to the United States to attend Texas A&M University in 1952 for a Master’s degree in Agriculture. He did doctoral studies in Agriculture Management at the University of WI-Madison. Singh changed career paths and received his education degree from Marquette University.

     Singh married Marilyn Vinson in 1960. Together they had three sons and lated divorced. They moved to Sparta in 1961 to accept a temporary teaching position at Sparta High School and Singh stayed to teach economics, business, biology, and math for 33 years, retiring in 1994.

     Singh married Marie (Hoff) Finstad on June 26, 1982. They celebrated their 25^th anniversary in 2007. Marie brought her own three children to their blended family of six children.

     Singh reigned as head coach of the Sparta Boys Golf team for 36 years. Upon his 2004 retirement as coach he was honored as “Wisconsin State Boys Golf Coach of the Year.”

     Singh’s involvement in the community included serving on local civic committees, was a member of the Ambassadors, Sparta Rotary Club, and the Wis. State Golf Coaches Association. He was a dedicated supporter of all Sparta High School athletics.

     Singh was also an independent businessman operating The Party Post liquor store in Sparta, Silk Plants Etc. in Madison, and also a rattan import business in Sparta.

     In his retirement Singh became more involved in his family business Upper India Steel serving on the board of directors. This necessitated trips to India as often as twice a year. Singh and Marie built a second home in Ludihana, India where they enjoyed their long visits. Singh and Marie enjoyed traveling and went on multiple trips each year.

     Singh was preceded in death by his parents, his elder brother, Indermohan Singh Grewal, and a step-son, Jason Finstad.

     He is survived by his beloved wife, Marie Grewal of Sparta; sons, Rajindar (Julie) of Elgin, IL, Ranjit (Theresa) of Brooklyn, NY, Surrindar (Karen) of Elgin, IL; step-daughters, Krista (Paul) Hanson of St. Paul, MN, and Anje (Kevin) Schmitz of Sparta. He was a loving and devoted grandfather to 9 grandchildren. He is survived by a brother & sister-in-law, Dr. Surjit Singh and Dr. Rummy Grewal; a sister, Prithpal Kaur Guron and sister-in-law, Satinder Kaur Grewal; many cousins, nieces, and nephews in India, England, Canada.

     Singh touched many lives as teacher, Mentor, friend, and coach. To his family he gave the world and will be greatly missed.

     Celebration of Life service will be Monday at 3:30 p.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta. Family burial will be Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the funeral home on Monday from 2:30 p.m. until the time of services.

     Memorials will go towards an academic scholarship for a Sparta student golfer.