Ruben E. Griffith 1885-1948

GRIFFIN, GREER, STEVENS, WILSON, HOLDINGHOUSE, LINGAFELTER

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 2/6/2010 at 03:14:20

Source: Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette March 1948

Morning Sun Man Ends Life

Morning Sun - Ruben Edwin Griffith, 62-year-old retired mail carrier, shot himself with a .22-caliber rifle alongside highway 78, about a quarter of a mile east of Morning Sun, Thursday (March 25) morning.

Sheriff Robert Lewis and Dr. J. H. Chittum, Louisa county coroner, investigated the case, pronounced the death a suicide, and stated no inquest would be held.

The body was discovered about 6:30 by the driver of an Iowa Farm (?) Delivery truck. Griffith's family told investigators he left his residence about 6 o'clock, presumably to milk. He drove from his home, which is located at the southwest edge of Morning Sun, to the highway, where he turned his car around, heading it back towards town. He then apparently climbed out and fired the fatal shot.

Sheriff Lewis said the suicide was without apparent motivation.

The son of William and Mary Jane Greer Griffith, Griffith was born at Seaton, Ill., on June 25, 1885. He was married to Ella Stevens on March 20, 1910. After service as rural mail carrier for 36 years, Griffith retired in 1945.

Surviving are the widow, 2 sons and 3 daughters: George and Robert Griffith, both of Morning Sun, and Mrs. James Holdinghouse, of St. Louis, and Mrs. Kyle Wilson and Helen Griffith, both of Morning Sun. Also surviving are 3 brothers: Milton and Albert Griffith, both of Seaton, and Omer Griffith, of Placerville, Calif., and a sister, Mrs. Bessit Lingafelter, of Joy, Ill. There are 3 grandchildren. The body is at the Pierce funeral home.

Below - Funeral Announcement from the March 26, 1948 Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette

Morning Sun - Last rites for R. E. Griffith, 62-year-old retired mail carrier who committed suicide by shooting himself with a .22-calibre rifle alongside highway 78 Thursday morning, will be held in the Methodist church March 27, at 2 p.m. Reverend J. Milton Kinney will officiate, and burial will be in Elmwood cemetery.