Russell L. Griggs (1914-2008)

GRIGGS

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 11/22/2008 at 13:46:24

Russell Lowell GRIGGS passed away Sunday, November 16, 2008 at St. Luke's Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He had attained the age of 93 years, 11 months and 29 days.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, November 19, at the Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, IA with Pastor Melissa Drake as the clergy. Interment was held in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Hancock, IA. Serving as Honorary bearer were Bob JACOBSEN, Cletus GRESS and Wylie KING with Steve GUYER, Don SCHEFFLER, Kenneth MARTIN, Lynn GROBE, Lane GUYER and Scott GIGGS as active bearers.
Russell Lowell GRIGGS was born on November 18, 1914 near Washingtion, IA. He was one of five children born to Dewitt and Annie (WEAVER) GRIGGS.
He attended school in Washington and graduated from high school in 1932. After graduation he began his lifelong career as a beekeeper, collecting and selling honey.
Rusell was united in marriage to Mary McMILLEN on February 15, 1938 at the Methodist Church in Washington. They were the parents of three children: Randall, Janet and James.
Rusell and Mary moved to Hancock in 1938. They processed Griggs Honey at the Hancock Honey House on Main Street and had a retail honey stand in front of their home Hancock until they retired in 1977. Russell served as the Mayor of Hancock for two terms. He also worked part time on bridge construction. After retiring they spent their winters in Florida starting in 1978. They were members of a camping club and also the Hancock United Methodist Church. Russell and Mary moved to Ellisville, MO in 2004.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son James; his brothers, Armour and Orville GRIGGS; and by his sister, Oneita FISHER.
Russell is survived by his wife Mary of Ellisville; son Randall and his wife Jeanie of Louisville, KY; daughter Janet SLOEY and her husband A. Michael of Manchester MO; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with two on the way; a brother, Duane GRIGGS and his wife Ruth Ann of Burlington, IA; nieces, nephews, other relative and many friends.

Avoca, IA "Journal-Herald" 20 November 2008, p.4