Charles A. Griffin of 10 Salem Road, Delaware Township, passed away at 3:10 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in UPMC Horizon, Greenville. He was 87.
Mr. Griffin was born Nov. 20, 1921, in Niles, Ohio, to Ford and Elizabeth Reinhart Griffin.
He was a 1939 graduate of Penn High School.
Charles was a purchasing agent for the former Chicago Bridge and Iron Co.’s Hempfield Township plant, from which he retired after 40 years of service.
He served in the Army Air Force as a second lieutenant and pilot instructor during World War II.
He attended Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ in Greenville.
He was a devoted local racing fan and even owned his own car. He was especially fond of his son’s racing career, Guy Griffin Racing.
Charles was also a dedicated follower of the Reynolds wrestling program.
His wife, the former Velma Pearl Boliver, whom he married Jan. 14, 1944, passed away Dec. 4, 2008.
Charles is survived by: a son, Guy Griffin and his fiancée Stacey Hanson, Greenville; a daughter, Cheryl and her husband Jerry Hazlett, Sharpsville; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Griffin, Greenville; three grandchildren, Curt Hazlett, Grove City; Rachel and her husband Casey Taylor, Greenville; and Sarae Griffin, Conneaut Lake; and two sisters, Naomi Royal, Fairfield Bay, Ark.; and Eva and her husband Ray Fry, Greenville.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Ford Griffin and Elizabeth Reinhart Griffin-Locke; a son, Charles A. Griffin Jr.; a granddaughter, Heidi Griffin; two brothers, Jack Locke and Larry Locke; two sisters, Dora Christy and Barbara Thurber; and his stepfather, who raised him, Lawrence Locke.
Memorial contributions can be made to Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, 201 N. Bellefield Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
GRIFFIN
Charles A., 87, of 10 Salem Road, Delaware Township.
Calling hours: Friends may call from 1 p.m. to time of service Thursday (11-19-09) in OSBORNE-WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES Inc., 73 & 75 Columbia Ave., Greenville. An online guestbook can be signed at: www.osbornefuneralhome.com
Service: Funeral services at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home with Gary Meikle, family friend and elder at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, West Salem Township, officiating.
Interment: With committal service at Shenango Valley Cemetery, Greenville.
