D.L. Griffin

ESSEX - D.L. Griffin, 80, died April 11, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Oct. 12, 1922, in Eldorado, Ill., son of the late James and Lula Sauls Griffin, he lived in California for many years before moving to Essex in 1982. He retired as a heavy equipment operator with Operating Engineers Local No. 3 and was a charter member of the Olive Branch General Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for 10 years. Griffin was a former member of the Harmony General Baptist Church in San Rafael, Calif., where he served as deacon for 12 years.

In 1941, in Grayridge, he married Essie Prince who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: two sons, Jim Griffin of Sacramento, Calif., and Keith Griffin of Springfield; one half brother, John Owens of Eldorado; and four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by one son, Wayne Griffin on Feb. 20, 2000; and one brother, Bertis Griffin on Jan. 11, 1989.

Visitation is from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Watkins and Sons

Funeral Home in Dexter, where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday. The Rev. Doyle Corlew of Dexter will officiate.

Burial will follow in the Essex Cemetery.