Jerry L. Griffin, 66, a resident of Harborside Health Care Center in New Haven for the past two years, died Friday evening, November 14, 2008, following an extended illness. Jerry was born February 2, 1942, in Rockwood, Tennessee, a son of the late Fred L. and Ruth (Worley) Griffin.
As a young man he graduated from Portage High School in Portage, Indiana, and soon after, enlisted in the US Army where he was awarded the Sharpshooter (M-14 Rifle) award and attained the rake of Spc.-4.
He had worked for 10 years at Bethlehem Steel and had lived in Marion, Indiana, and Avilla before entering Harborside.
The survivors include his daughter, Barbara L. (Durand) Courtney of Avilla, Indiana, his brothers Larry Griffin of Watervliet, Michigan, and Ronald (Joy Griffin of Valparaiso, Indiana. He is also survived by three grandsons, including Karsten Courtney, Christopher Hardwick and Alex Hardwick.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his son, Robert L. Griffin.
Chapel services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel on the grounds of the Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana. Full military honors will be conducted by the US Army Ceremonial Honors Unit.
Arrangements are being handled by Sheets and Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco.