Obituary of Lyle James Griffeth

Lyle J. Griffeth 83, of Carlinville, formerly of the Mt. Zion/Decatur area, passed away Tuesday, April 6, 2010. He was born Friday, November 26, 1926 to Glen C. Griffeth and Gladys (Bryan) Griffeth of Macomb. He married Barbara Lawrence of Macomb in 1952, seperating in 1989. After graduating from Bardolph High School in 1944 Lyle joined the Army and served his country during WWII as a Staff Sergeant in the Pacific. Upon returning, he completed additional college courses through the GI Bill in Macomb, studying agriculture. Lyle farmed, was an agent for Country Companies insurance and retired as a Loan Officer from Production Credit Association in 1986. After retirement, Lyle did appraisal work for FHA. Lyle enjoyed baseball and basketball. He was actively involved with the Elks and Lions Clubs. His love for music inspired him to form the "Spud Griffeth Band", which played for years in the Macomb area. He played every weekend, and loved the "Big Band" music. Lyle was a longtime member of Carlinville Municipal Band and played his trombone with many other Municipal Jazz and Dance Bands in Central Illinois. In 1990 he married Juanita Minton of Decatur. After her death, he relocated back to the Carlinville area in 2008. Lyle was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Decatur and a former member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Carlinville. He was preceded in death by an infant son (Robert), his wife (Juanita), a brother (Francis), and a grandson (Aaron Rieman). Surviving Lyle are Julie (Wes) Miller of Keokuk, IA, Susan (Ken) Bennett of Carlinville, IL, Marla VanDeventer of Auburn, IL, Luan (Al) Vallejos of Chandler, AZ, Steve A. Rieman of Decatur, IL, Diane (John) Beggs of Decatur, IL, Janet (John) Knobeloch of Indianapolis, IN, Harold (Vilai) Griffeth of Las Vegas, NV, Evelyn (Jerry) Quigle of LaHarpe, IL, Glenna Curtis of St. Augustine, IL, Goldie (Leo) Depoy of Macomb, IL, Don (Fran) Minton of Decatur, IL, Ken Minton of Decatur, IL. Twelve Grandchildren and Three Great Grandchildren Funeral Information Visitation will be held Sunday April 11, 2010 2:00-4:00 pm at Davis Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville, IL Funeral Services will be Monday April 12, 2010 at 1:30 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 352 West Wood Street Decatur, IL Burial will be at Macon County Memorial Park Cemetery in Decatur, IL. Donations Information Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Directions Visitation: Davis Anderson in Carlinville