William H. Griffin

William H. Griffin went home to be with the Lord on Saturday (June 23, 2012) while surrounded by his loving family at his bedside. Mr. Griffin, 86, was born in Galatia, on Jan. 23, 1926, the son of George Wiley and Blanche Harris Griffin. He married Delores Berkel on June 17, 1950, and the couple just celebrated their 62nd anniversary. William and Delores had three children, Deborah Kay (James) Riordan, Darrell (Debbie) Griffin and Diann (Lane) Carman, all of Kankakee; seven grandchildren, Chris (Staci) Riordan, of North Hollywood, Calif., Elicia Riordan, also of North Hollywood (and her fiance, Gregg McClurg), Jeremiah Riordan, Joshua Carman, of Kankakee, Caleb (Hannah) Carman, of Peotone, Jennifer (Kevin) Schroeder, of Palos Heights, and Matt Morel, of Kankakee; and four great-grandchildren, Micah and Samantha Riordan, of North Hollywood, and Emma and Benjamin Schroeder, of Palos Heights. William Griffin served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1944 to 1945. Stationed in the Philippine Islands as part of the Pacific theater, he was wounded in battle and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was a baker and operated a poultry processing business in southern Illinois. He later worked as a prison guard in Joliet and then for Birmingham Bolt in Bradley, where he was employed for 22 years and became a foreman. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Edith Lassater and Gleeda Smith; his brother, George Griffin; and his grandson, Jeremiah Riordan. He is survived by his wife, Delores; his sister, Dorothy (Frank) Seripin, of Sulligent, Ala.; his brother, Joe (Mary Lou) Griffin, of Alton; and his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He loved to do woodworking and home handyman projects to benefit his family. William was a dedicated Christian who helped build Friendswood Christian Church. He served God there as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent. Later in life he served the Lord at Herscher Christian Church. William's life was centered around God and his family. He loved having the family come together and, while grieved by his passing, the entire family now rejoices over his glorious life now in heaven and looks forward to a joyous reunion there. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee, and from 9 a.m. Thursday until the 10 a.m. funeral services at the Herscher Christian Church. Memorials may be made to the family wishes.

William H. Griffin

January 23, 1926 - June 23, 2012