George E. Griffiths, of Marion, died Wednesday evening, August 10, 2011, at his residence following a brief illness. He was 90 years old.
The "friendliest person" you ever met, George Griffiths, truly had a way with people. He “never knew a stranger” and made such an impression that it felt like you had been friends your entire life. He truly was the one man “Welcome Wagon” everywhere he went.
On September 6, 1920, George was born in Marion, the only son of six children of the late George and Gera (Cowan) Griffiths. While growing up, George worked at Schaffner’s furniture store with his father and as a carpet layer with Snyder and Gillis Carpet Company.
George graduated from Marion Harding High School, Class of 1938, and it was there that he met his high school sweetheart, Virginia Young. After graduation he realized he couldn’t live without her and they were married on September 27, 1941, at the First Presbyterian Church in Marion. Together they lovingly raised four children and shared nearly sixty-nine years of marriage. They had a special bond and enjoyed "razzing" each other. George always called her “What’s her name?” and nicknamed himself “Poor Old George” for having to put up with her. She preceded him in death on September 15, 2010.
Shortly after their wedding day, George enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to serve with his fellow countrymen in the fight of World War II. He had been trained to fly bi-planes, and was fortunate that just as his training was complete the war ended. Upon his honorable discharge George returned home to be with Virginia in Marion.
The job George may have been best known for was his home based business, Griffiths TV Repair. He also owed “Sound on Wheels”, installing cb radios, eight track tape decks, cassette players and speakers in cars. George worked at Whirlpool and then transferred to National City Bank to help them rebuild their bank on Main Street after it had burned down. He worked there as their maintenance manager until his retirement. Never able to sit still, George went to work for Lowe’s garden center, (so much for retirement) and proudly called himself, the "Plant Engineer".
With his wife, Virginia, he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, where he served on the Board of Trustees. Together with good friends Charlie and Eloise Lust, they would serve coffee and donuts before Adult Sunday School for many years. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a life member of the Elks Lodge 32 and past "Elk of the Year". He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 7201, and most recently the Knights of Columbus #671 where he was an active participant of the infamous "Rusty Zipper Club".
Carrying on a family tradition, George loved their annual trips to Houghton Lake, Michigan, which they did for over forty years. He taught all of his children “to swim and swim well.” They will forever remember his “special pink poncho" that was a Houghton Lake favorite and the year he and his brother-in-law Charlie Iams turned the lake purple.
George loved to be surrounded by his beloved family, so he would find reasons to persuade everyone to come home. One of everyone’s favorite get together was the "Griffiths Annual Pig Roast", which started as a "Soup-out Day" to get rid of the leftover vegetables from his garden. George and his "best bud" son Bruce enjoyed cooking and carving the hog together every year.
“Poor Old George” will be dearly missed by his four children: Mike Griffiths of Vero Beach, Florida, George Jeffrey (Earl Gray) Griffiths of Bisbee, Arizona, Julia (Gary) Vanderhoff of Marion, and Bruce (Sue) Griffiths of Marion; grandchildren Heather Griffiths Farris, Jamin (Terrin) Griffiths, Kristina (Derek) Freed, Justin (Abby) Vanderhoff and Kyle Vanderhoff; three great-grandchildren Jordan, Emersyn and Luke; two sisters Glorene Drown of Prospect, and Mary Seiter of Michigan; his sister-in-law "Plain" Jane Iams; and many beloved family members and friends.
Including his wife and parents, George was preceded in death by three sisters: Dorothy Hoagland, Betty Post and Lillian Carson.
The Griffiths family will greet friends from 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church, 143 S. Prospect St., Marion. A service celebrating his life will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Rob Howard officiating. The Celebration will continue at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Marion immediately after the funeral.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve George’s family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion General Hospital Hospice, 278 Barks Road West, Marion, Ohio 43302 and the Knights of Columbus Wake Fund, 1232 East Center Street, Marion, Ohio 43302.
For those wishing to express their condolences to George’s family, you may do so by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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