John Griffith

The funeral service for John O. "Jack" Griffith, 84, of Ipswich, is 10:00 a.m. Monday at UCC-Congregational Church in Ipswich with Rev. Enno Limvere leading the worship. Burial will follow at Powell Cemetery.

Visitation is two hours prior to the service at the church.

Jack was born June 16, 1924 to Austin and Lydia (Viertel) Griffith at Liberty Township. He was raised on the family farm which his grandfather homesteaded in 1882. Jack attended country school for eight years and then went on to Ipswich High School for only one year as his father was ill and his two older brothers were in the military so Jack had to manage the farm. Jack's father passed away when Jack was only eighteen.

Jack was a farmer and rancher who loved his Black Angus Cattle. Jack cared for his mother until she passed away at the age of 86.

From a very young age he was an avid hunter of birds and deer. He also became an accomplished bowler and belonged to the Powell Community Softball League. Playing cards and cribbage was a pastime in the Griffith household. Many of Jack's nieces and nephews visited the farm frequently to spend time with their grandmother and Jack.

In October of 1993 he married Beatrice Weninger at the UCC Church in Ipswich where he was an active member. They stayed living on the farm for several years and then retired to Ipswich.

Jack served on the election board for Liberty Township for many years and was the treasurer for the township board. Prior to his marriage, he loved sitting at the Ipswich Museum. Jack was a big fan of the Minnesota Twins baseball club.

He is survived by his wife, Beatrice and three step-children who loved him dearly, his brother, Roy and sister-in-law Jeanette, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, three brothers and one sister.

Jack died Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen..

Funeral arrangements by Gramm Funeral Home of Ipswich with an online guest registry at www.grammfuneralhome.com.

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