David N. Griffin

David Neal Griffin, 84, of Vassar, Kansas, died Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, June 2, 2017, at Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa, Kansas. The family will meet with friends from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Thursday, June 1, 2017 at the mortuary. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. David was born on February 7, 1933 in Ransomville, Kansas, the son of Harold Marion and Ama M. (Mitchell) Griffin. David was a resident of Vassar, Kansas since 2011, moving from Ottawa, where he lived most of his life. He attended Williamsburg schools and earned his GED. David served in the United States Army from April 4, 1950 until April 16, 1953, stationed in Alaska, attaining the rank of Corporal. He was a 50 year member and Past Master of Ottawa Lodge #18, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Kansas. On May 8, 1956, David was united in marriage with Sandra Kay Anderson at Ottawa, Kansas. She preceded him in death on December 26, 2013. They shared fifty-nine and a half years of marriage together. He is survived by his sons, David K. Griffin and wife Mary of Ottawa, and Richard M. Griffin and wife Karen of Olathe; daughters, Wanda L. Moody and husband Joe of Vassar, and Kimberly K. Matney and husband Scott of Ottawa; sister-in-law, Jo McCarthy; eleven grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; and his dog, Coco. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ama M. Griffin; brothers, Clifford, Glen, Donald, Richard and Rex Griffin; sisters, Juanita Collins, Carol Crump, Sandra Myers, and infant sister, Opal. David was first employed by Willis Nursery in his teenage years and then delivered the Kansas City Star in Ottawa; worked for Ransom Farms; the Sunflower Ordinance Plant in De Soto, Kansas; Ottawa Police Department; City of Ottawa; Franklin County Sheriff’s Department; and at Franklin County Court House retiring in 2000. David was a family man who was always there for his family and friends. He rarely missed a day of work. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed riding around the lake, fishing, hunting, hunting mushrooms, going to the casinos, and metal detecting. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Ottawa Police Department McGruff Program c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on David’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com.