Person:John Griffin (87)

Obituary

John, 95, died at 12:29 a.m., at St. Rita's Medical Center.

He was a son to Jack A. and Edna (Holloway) Griffin. On Jul 3, 1942, he married Doris C. Reynolds, who preceded him in death.

Surviving are three daughters, Phyllis (Richard) Smith, Edgerton, Pamela (Dave) Heitmeyer, Ottoville, and Jo Griffin, Spencerville; a brother, Don, Lambertville, NJ; three sisters-in-law, Violet Ashton, Venedocia, Lela Barnes, Spencerville, and Sarah Griffin, Waukegan, IL; four grandsons, Brad Putman, Lima, Kevin (Becky) Krouskop, Ottoville, Michael Putman, Atlanta, and Mitchell Heitmeyer, Ottoville; and four great-grandchildren, Jon Putman and Abby, Kendra and Alex Krouskop.

Deceased are two brothers, Blaine and Clint.

He was a graduate of Mendon-Union High School. He retired in 1982 with 30 years of service to Standard Oil Refinery, Lima, working in maintenance in the machine shop. He later became a real estate agent with Merl Knittle Real Estate Co., Van Wert. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as an airplane armorer/gunner, serving in Bismark, China, New Guinea, South Philippines, Luzon, Western Pacific, the Ryukyus and the air offensive of Japan. He was a staff sergeant in the 17th Bomb Squadron. His decorations are the Air Medal with one cluster, the American Theater Service Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with eight Bronze Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. He was a chater/life member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6772, Spencerville. He served in the VFW in various capacities in the national, state and local levels. He was a life member of Puptent 6 Military Order of Cooties, Lima. He was a member of American Legion Post 191, Spencerville. He was a 75-year member of Acadia Lodge 306, Free and Accepted Masons, Spencerville. He was a long-time member of the Royal Arch Masons Lodge 169 and Order of Eastern Star Chapter 130, both of Spencerville, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Dayton, the Antioch Shrine of Dayton and the Lima Shrine Club. He loved to attend VFW conferences and conventions at all levels.

Services are at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, with the Rev. David Howell, officiating.

Murray with wife's extended family

Brothers-in-law, Roy Reynolds & Murray Griffin

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Griffin, George F., in Mercer, Ohio, United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule.

   Union Township, Mercer County, Ohio. HOH: George F. Griffin, 79; his wife, Mary O., 74; sons & grandchildren, including John M. Griffin, 13.

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} John Murray Griffn, in Find A Grave.
3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Griffin, Murray John, in Ohio, United States. Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003
   16 Apr 1916.

   Murray John Griffin, b. 16 Apr 1916, Allen County, Ohio, s/o John A. Griffin & Edna Holloway.