Griffeth, Rev. Francis C. "Fran"

GRIFFETH, HARTZLER, COLE, WEST

Posted By: Ruth Maring - Volunteer poster (email)
Date: 9/17/2008 at 12:36:50

Griffeth, Rev. Francis C. "Fran" View/Sign Guest Book

MARION — The Rev. Francis C. “Fran” Griffeth, 68, of Marion, died Saturday, September 6, 2008, at St. Luke’s Hospital following a long illness. A celebration of life service will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church in Marion at 11 a.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Linda Livingston officiating. Private graveside services will be held in the morning preceding a memorial service at the church he grew up in, Tiro Methodist Church, Tiro, Ohio, at 11 a.m. Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday and at the church after 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Survivors include his former wife, Barbara, they had been married for 36 years; a son, Brent (Anita) of Spooner, Wisconsin; a daughter, Jenny (Shane) Hartzler of Marion, Iowa; six grandchildren, Shea, Elli, Emma, and Grace of Marion, Iowa, Gena and Spenser of Spooner, Wisconsin; three brothers, Richard (Betty) of Columbus, Ohio, Jim (Barbara) and Eldon (Ruth) of Shelby, Ohio; and cousins by the dozen. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew and a niece. Fran was born February 6, 1940, in Mansfield, Ohio, the son of Cleo and Vernice (Cole) Griffeth. On February 18, 1961, he married Barbara West in Anchorage, Alaska. Fran served in the Air Force and Army for 22 years (14 years in the Reserve forces). In 1967, he left the active military to attend St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained on July 15, 1975, and served parishes in Illinois and Iowa. In 1995, after a heart attack and two triple bypasses of his heart, he took a medical disability, but he continued to serve over a dozen congregations as an interim. He was a pastor for over 30 years. Fran loved his family, grandchildren, and friends in many places. He loved to preach and share stories and humor from the pulpit. As a celebration of Fran’s life and new life, Fran requested that no one wear the traditional color black. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Please leave a message or tribute to the Griffeth family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries. Death date: Sept. 6, 2008 #
Published in the Clinton Herald from 9/9/2008 - 9/11/2008