Donald D. Griffin

Born January 20, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan, son of the late Dale and Emma Griffin, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Donald is survived by his children from his first marriage: son, Thomas Griffin of Lansing and his children, Jennifer (Ronald) Drent and their son Aiden, Jon-Tomas, and Jessica; daughter, Janet Griffin of Lansing; step-children, Susan (Marvin) Maule of Bel-Air, MD and their daughter and granddaughter, Melissa (Jose Salazar Torres) Maule and their daughter, Phoebe Earleen Maule-Torres of North East, MD; Bruce (Sue) Block of Dimondale, MI and their children and grandchildren, Libby (Justin) Holton with children Max, Jack, and Reese, all of Bloomfield, MI, and Kristin Lukowski with children Ryan and Courtney, all of Linden, MI, along with brother-in-law, Dr. Walter (Nancy) Tyler of Davis, CA.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Phoebe and his sister, Joanna Stone.

Don served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He and Phoebe received the MSU Honorary Alumni Award in 2004.  He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing and the MSU Robert A. Shaw Society.  Don was a 28-gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross and an MSU off-ice official for many years.

Private family services have been held with inurnment in Evergreen Cemetery.

Those who wish may make a memorial contribution to Grace United Methodist Church in Lansing or the American Red Cross in Don’s memory. Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel.

Print Obituary

One Message on “Donald D. Griffin

Print Messages
Win Stebbins
June 7, 2021 at 10:23 am

My condolences to the Don Griffin family, with two stories for your memories.

Win Stebbins, now living in Holt MI. In 1960-61 Sue Block was my Sexton High School girlfriend, and I enjoyed many meals with Don and Phoebe, Sue and Bruce at their home, and worshipping with them at Colonial Village Methodist.

Don had his very little Nash Rambler, which he usually parked on the street in front of his home. Very cute, but I don’t think I ever rode in or drove it. It was still the era of large cars!

Don’s job as Buyer for Schmidt’s grocery meant that about two-three months before the next holiday, Don would bring home food item boxes given him by sellers, for him to taste and Phoebe to cook. At those ‘tasting dinners’, the empty boxes would be lined up in front of Don’s place, and afterward he would write on the box about the taste, and Phoebe’s comments about the ease of cooking the item. Sue could tell you long stories about why/how I enjoyed my meals at their home. I last saw Sue and Marvin at their home near Wash DC when I was driving through in about 1990 or so, and then at our 50th Sexton Class Reunion in 2011.

Don’s sports passion was being one of the two Red Light tenders at MSU Home Hockey games!

I also fondly remember Phoebe because when she learned I was accepted and going to Univ of Colorado, she made sure to teach/show me how to iron my shirts and pants myself. I still know how!

Bruce was a classmate of my youngest brother Ken.

I don’t remember ever meeting the rest of you; I’m sorry that our paths never crossed, but I very much liked Don and Phoebe, and Sue.

Win Stebbins 4427 Holt Road Holt MI 48842 home phone 517 889-5096

Reply

Please Sign The Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *