The Rev. D. Robert “Bob” Griffith, Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, at his residence at the age of 89.
He was born Feb. 16, 1928, in Cambria County, Pa., to Geraldine I. Rose and John W. Griffith. On Sept. 1, 1951, he was married in Winona Lake to Joyce E. Polman, who survives.
Bob received his bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in 1950 and his Master of Divinity degree in 1953 from Grace College and Theological Seminary, Winona Lake.
With his wife, Joyce, and family at his side, he served the Lord as a Grace Brethren minister in pastorates in Lake Odessa, Mich., from 1953-1955; Grandview, Wash., from 1955-1962; Philadelphia, Pa., from 1962-1969; Telford, Pa., from 1969-1978; Hollidaysburg, Pa., from 1978-1990; and Berne from 1990-1996. He served 45 years as a senior pastor, as well as traveled the mission fields in France, Germany, Africa, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Argentina.
Bob was on the board of directors of Grace Brethren Foreign Missions for 18 years, chairman of North Atlantic Youth Committee for nine years, chairman of West Penn Youth Committee for four years, and for 20 years he served as business manager for Christian camps in Michigan and the northwest and north Atlantic districts.
Upon retirement, Bob remained just as active. He worked part time for 20 years as a funeral attendant, the last 10 years at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. Once a minister always a minister … over the years while working at the funeral home he had the privilege to officiate many funerals for families without a church home that had lost a loved one.
He was a member of Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church, and he attended as well as preached services at Grace Village Chapel at Grace Village Retirement Community.
He was a loving husband, father and a true man of faith. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Joyce E. Griffith, Winona Lake; two sons, David (wife Susan) Griffith, missionaries in France; Dr. Steven (wife Rose) Griffith, Cannon Falls, Minn.; and his daughter, Kathleen (husband Bob) Burns, Westfield. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Patricia (husband Wendell) Kent, Buena Vista, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jack.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. His funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, officiated by Pastor Bruce Barlow and Chaplain Bryan Benjamin.
Burial will take place at Pike Brethren Church Cemetery in Conemaugh, Jackson Township, Pa., in Cambria County, where Bob was born.
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Memorials to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590 to go toward Grace Village Caring Friends.
Condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.
