JOSEPH R. GRIFFITH Montpelier -- Joseph R. Griffith, 88 of Pueblo West, Colorado, and a Montpelier native, died Thursday July 14, 2011 in his home following a lingering illness. Born May 28, 1923 at Montpelier to B. Ray and D. Coral (Briner) Griffith, he was a 1941 graduate of Montpelier High School and a graduate of Bowling Green State University. Joe was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II. On August 31, 1948 he was married to Grace M. (Squires) and she preceded him in death on April 16, 1999. A longtime resident of the Detroit, Michigan area, he had retired after serving many years as a manager of various Sears Stores. Surviving is one daughter, Gail Walker of Pueblo West CO; two sons, Ray Griffith and Randall (Patti) Griffith, all of Livonia, Michigan., six grandchildren, and one great grandson. Also preceding him in addition to his wife was a son, Russell "Rusty" Griffith in June, 1974, one grandchild, and three sisters, Catherine Dunlap, Mary Lautzenheiser, and Ruth Kimball. Graveside services for Joseph R. Griffith will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday August 31, 2011 in Riverside Cemetery, Montpelier, with Reverend Robert Damschroder officiating, followed by Military Honor Rites conducted by Montpelier Veteran Organizations. There will be no visitation. Suggested memorials are to Alzheimer's Association of Northwest Ohio, 2500 N. Reynolds Rd, Toledo, OH 43615-0708. Arrangements are by Wilson – Geesey Funeral Home, Montpelier. Condolences to the family may be made, and the guest book signed, at www.wilsongeeseyfuneralhome.com