Charles Griffith

Ocala, FL - Charles passed away on December 13, 2024, at Cates Hospice House in Ocala, Florida, 19 days after being diagnosed with cancer. He was born January 6, 1937, in Mansfield, Illinois, to the late Yocum and Pauline (Hays) Griffith. He attended school in Isabel, Illinois, and served in the US Army from 1955 to 1959, stationed in Germany.

 Charles is survived by his wife of 37 years, Judith (Curtis) Griffith, of Dunnellon, Florida, and former spouse, Hildegard (Raabe) Griffith of Marana, Arizona. Other survivors include daughters Darline (William) Johns of Marana, Arizona, and Maria (Darrell) Dandridge of N. Little Rock, Arkansas; sons: Michael (Anna) Griffith of Marana, Arizona, and Richard (Alvena) Griffith of Arlington, Indiana; stepson, Matthew Brown of Rantoul, Illinois; and stepdaughter, Susie (Matt) Gardner of Georgetown, Illinois, as well as 17 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother Rick (Anita) Griffith of Vermilion, Illinois, and sisters Judy Hahny of Ashland, Kentucky, and Debbie Cooper of South Point, Ohio.

 Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Yocum and Pauline (Hays) Griffith; sons, Charles and Robert Griffith; brothers, Dave and Johnny Griffith; sisters, Darline Burch, Betty Artiby, and Patricia Toll; and great-grandson, Dominic Edwards and great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Glenda Dandridge. 

He had worked at various jobs prior to making his career in school district maintenance, first in Marana, Arizona, and then in Westville, Illinois, where he retired. He lived in Georgetown, Illinois, until moving to Florida in 2017. He had been a member of Olivet Nazarene Church in Georgetown, Illinois, until moving to Florida, where he attended Southwest Christian Church in Ocala, FL, and most recently, Friendship Baptist Church in Ocala. Charles enjoyed serving as a security team member and singing in the choir there. He was well known all his life as the guy to call if anyone needed something fixed and was skilled in a variety of fields. He was always ready with a joke or a story and had a heart for helping those in need. He loved his family and his God and country. 

The memorial service is to be held on January 4, 2025, at Friendship Baptist Church at 9510 SW 105th St, Ocala, at 1 pm. Burial will be at Danville National Cemetery in Danville, Illinois, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 1 pm with military honors.