Griffith Smith

Griffith M. Smith passed away at the age of 85 in Springfield, Missouri on Saturday, June 23, 2007. He was at home with Cille, his wife of almost 55 years.

Griff was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 1, 1921 to Griffith M. Smith, Sr. and Ida M. Smith. They were very happy together. It broke his heart that he was unable to comfort his mother when his father died, due to his WW II service in the Pacific. Nothing ever again interfered with his dedication to her.

Young Griff had a knack for woodworking. He made decorative pins for his mother's co-workers, pretzel holders for a chain of Bavarian restaurants, and a somewhat less successful cot repair for his father. Throughout his years, he made many things�some practical, some lovely�for those around him.

Griff's life was inextricably linked with St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in St. Louis. His relationships with the wonderful members of that church sustained him from the time he was a small boy until the end of his days.

Griff met Cille when he drove the Rev. Frank Maples, to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Ironton, Mo. They caught each other's eyes and inevitably were married�by Mr. Maples at St. Paul's. Together, Griff and Cille raised three sons: Mark, Griff, and Dave. Griff's successful career as an industrial tool salesman with American Tool Sales provided for his boys' material well-being. His example of hard work and dedication to others provided a strong foundation for their characters.

The boys married, respectively, Gail, Kay, and Lisa�who Griff loved as his own. His two grandsons, Sam and Danny, always enjoyed his wry sense of humor. Griff will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on Wednesday, June 27th at Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home (500 E Walnut St. in Springfield MO). The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 28th at Christ Episcopal Church (601 E. Walnut St. in Springfield, MO).

Griff's remains will be taken to St. Louis for burial at Oak Grove Cemetery (7800 Saint Charles Rock Rd.). A graveside service will be held at the cemetery at 3:00 PM on Friday, June 29th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association (1-800-242-8721), the Alzheimer's Association (1-800-272-3900), or Christ Episcopal Church (1-417-866-5133).