Check out what appears to be an oring/copper wire groove?  No ring found, just standard copper head gasket.  Any advice on what this grove is for and proper reassembly appreciated.  

That is normal. Head Gasket should have a corresponding raised ring if it is single layer gasket. Multilayer head gaskets may not have the ring. I have used both. The single layer is first design, multilayered gaskets came later and reduces compression by a little, but may hold seal better.

thank you for the info!
"Be Happy" is great advice, same to you sir