John D. Griffin

Retired Toledo business owner John D. Griffin passed away at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor on July 25 following the recent onset of a number of health problems. He was born in Chicago to Patrick Dominic and Annetta Veronica (Maynes) Griffin on July 17, 1928. His family relocated to Toledo while John was a youth and he acquired his fondness for all things mechanical during his high school days. While working at Willys-Overland after graduation he discovered his vocation as a tool and die maker. John served his apprenticeship at the craft and gained experience with local corporations before establishing a partnership with another respected journeyman in 1963.Astute management combined with a reputation for quality prompted Dun-Rite Industries’ success. John took courses to improve his knowledge of computers and melded advances in technology with Dun-Rite’s machinery. The firm prospered making injection molds and machine tools for the automobile industry and other producers of consumer products before John and his partner sold the business and retired. Free from the everyday concerns of running a company, John pursued hobbies. He tinkered with mechanical objects of every sort and could repair almost everything. In 2005 he began pursuing a long-time interest in photography, taking classes to improve his innate skills. This brought forth a number of award-winning images in recent years. John met his first wife, Velma Bushey, while still in high school. They were married in January 1946 and became the proud parents of four lovely daughters over the next ten years. Sadly, Velma passed away in January 1977 after a prolonged struggle with injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Throughout the difficulties John remained at her side as attentive husband and caretaker. In July 1980 he married Eldora Lombardo. During their twenty-six years of marriage the couple moved from Toledo to Loch Erin in the Irish Hills and established a winter residence in Webster, Florida before Eldora passed away in May 2005. In June 2006 John married Sunny (Vernice) Snow. Throughout their five fun-filled years together John and Sunny enjoyed the fruits of retirement. They traveled extensively. Each summer they drove to Maine to visit with Sunny’s family, stopping frequently along the way to call on friends or do some sightseeing. Alaskan and Hawaiian cruises allowed them the opportunity to experience the majesty of America’s far western states, but their greatest trip was a tour of Ireland in May. In between long trips John and Sunny loved life at Loch Erin, taking leisurely boat rides across the placid waters and hosting relatives for great Fourth of July reunions. In their Florida home during the winter months John and Sunny kept active visiting friends and taking short trips. Remaining on earth to cherish his memory are his devoted wife Sunny (Vernice); daughters Sheila [Asendorf] (Norman) Falkenberg, Katherine (Richard) Rajner, Janice (Kevin) Tidd, Mary (Michael) Tate; eight stepchildren, including Judith Sypercinski; grandchildren John (Aranne Moody) Asendorf, Mary Asendorf, Katrina Daun, Kelly Tidd, Megan Tate and Patrick Tate; and a large number of grand-children, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Patrick and Joseph, sisters Marie McAtee and Gladys Darkowski, and his wives Velma and Eldora. Visitation will be at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd, Thursday from 2-8pm where a Scripture Service will be recited at 5pm. The funeral will begin in the mortuary Friday at 10:30 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Little Flower Church at 11 A.M. Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Memorials can take the form of a contribution to the Onsted, Michigan Senior Center, 333 Conner St, Onsted, MI 49265, where he spent many happy hours with his retired friends and neighbors.

John D. Griffin

July 17, 1928 - July 25, 2011