Betty Griffis, 89
Born: May 12, 1923

Died: May 14, 2012

Betty Griffis, 89, of Columbine in Niles and formerly long-time resident of Lewis Drive and Shillelagh Lane, died at 2:58 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2012, at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. Betty’s family is grateful to the staff of West Woods for their loving care.

She was born May 12, 1923, in South Bend to Edgar A. and Mary (Eiswald) Harman and graduated from high school in South Bend.

She was first employed in the offices of Bendix, and then was employed for many years at Buchanan Co-op.

Betty was a charter member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Niles. She enjoyed bowling on area leagues, dancing at the American Legion. Her greatest joy was her family, and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose visits always lit up her eyes.

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, 1948, in South Bend, she married Millard J. Griffis, who she met at a Polish hop in Dowagiac. They celebrated the 60th anniversary of their wedding prior to Millard’s death on May 21, 2009.

She was also preceded in death by their son, Gregory James Griffis, in 1968; and by her brothers, Jack Harman, Robert Harman, David Harman and Richard Harman.

Surviving family includes two daughters, Gail (Richard) Ross of Owosso, Mich., and Gwen (Chris) Gessinger of Niles; grandchildren, Gregory (Monica) Ross, Christopher (Beth) Gessinger, LeeAnn (Keith) Reynolds, Michael (Brande) Gessinger, Katie (Doug) Julien and Nicholas (Kara) Gessinger; great-grandchildren, Abigail, Anna and Micah Ross, Anisa, Isaiah, Alianna, Gabrielle, Elijah and Nevaeh Reynolds, Avarie, Grace, Carson, Brayden, Jackson and Owen Gessinger and Ephriam Julien; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Betty E. Griffis will be at noon Thursday, May 17, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Niles, with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the church officiating. Committal will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.

Contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1819 Oak St., Niles, MI 49120.