Rev. Francis C. Griffeth

Born in Mansfield, Ohio on February 6, 1940
Departed on September 6, 2008. Resided in Marion, IA.

Memorial

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 AM Tuesday with 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 United Methodist Church, Tiro, Ohio, at 11 AM Saturday. A luncheon will follow the service. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4 to 7 PM on Monday and at the church after 10 AM 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.

Visitation

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Cemetery