1941
Donald
2016
Donald Jack Griffin Sr.
April 20, 1941 — March 21, 2016
Donald Jack Griffin Sr. was born April 20, 1941 to Bernard and Evelyn (Parker) Griffin in Kalamazoo, MI. He peacefully passed away March 21, 2016 at his home with family by his side.
On November 15, 1958 he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Meert, in Kalamazoo. Together they raised their family, and dairy farmed in Hastings before Don took a job at and retired from Tyden Seal. While he retired from farming years ago, it remained in his blood. Together he and Shirley hosted foster children for many years. He enjoyed camping and road trips across the country. He will be remembered as the family jokester. His life revolved around his wife, children and grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and in-laws.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, of 57 years who resides in Hastings. Children Donald (Diane) Griffin Jr. of Hastings, Julie (Jim) Jones of Nashville, and Melissa (Roger) Caris Jr. of Hastings. They were blessed with nine grandchildren: Jolene Griffin and Jason Donald (Ashley) Griffin; Jordan (Chelsea) and Joshua (Jessica) Bursley; Austin, Emilie and Ethan Donald Caris; and Erich (Lauren) and Devin Jones. They were also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother Robyn (Brenda) Griffin and sister Patricia (Steve) Hodges; in-laws Gene (Kathy) Meert, Nancy Mulder, Larry (Kathy) Meert, Judy (Jon) Nieuwenhuis, Sally (Lynn) Lukins, Marilyn Meert; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by best friend Marilyn Coon, her husband Greg met Don at heaven's gates and the two of them are raising Cain together.
The family will celebrate Don's life from 1:00-4:00pm on May 28, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church 239 E. North St. Hastings, Michigan 49508. Condolences can be sent to the family at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Hastings, MI. Memorials can be sent to Spectrum Health Hospice or the American Heart Association.
On November 15, 1958 he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Meert, in Kalamazoo. Together they raised their family, and dairy farmed in Hastings before Don took a job at and retired from Tyden Seal. While he retired from farming years ago, it remained in his blood. Together he and Shirley hosted foster children for many years. He enjoyed camping and road trips across the country. He will be remembered as the family jokester. His life revolved around his wife, children and grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents and in-laws.
He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley, of 57 years who resides in Hastings. Children Donald (Diane) Griffin Jr. of Hastings, Julie (Jim) Jones of Nashville, and Melissa (Roger) Caris Jr. of Hastings. They were blessed with nine grandchildren: Jolene Griffin and Jason Donald (Ashley) Griffin; Jordan (Chelsea) and Joshua (Jessica) Bursley; Austin, Emilie and Ethan Donald Caris; and Erich (Lauren) and Devin Jones. They were also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother Robyn (Brenda) Griffin and sister Patricia (Steve) Hodges; in-laws Gene (Kathy) Meert, Nancy Mulder, Larry (Kathy) Meert, Judy (Jon) Nieuwenhuis, Sally (Lynn) Lukins, Marilyn Meert; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by best friend Marilyn Coon, her husband Greg met Don at heaven's gates and the two of them are raising Cain together.
The family will celebrate Don's life from 1:00-4:00pm on May 28, 2016 at Grace Lutheran Church 239 E. North St. Hastings, Michigan 49508. Condolences can be sent to the family at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Hastings, MI. Memorials can be sent to Spectrum Health Hospice or the American Heart Association.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Jack Griffin Sr., please visit our flower store.
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