Graveside service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Letts Cemetery.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction. Online condolences: www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.

LETTS, Iowa — Howard Kramer “Griff” Griffith, 93, Letts, passed away Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Columbus Junction.

The Rev. Mike Townsley will officiate the services.    A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in his memory.

Mr.  Griffith was born Sept. 22, 1916, in Cotter, the son of Howard Griffith and Bertha B. Kramer (Griffith) Votrobek.  He was united in marriage to Mary Louise Vorwerk Sept. 3, 1938, in Muscatine. 

He served with the United States Navy from 1943 - 46 in the Pacific Theater, as a gunner’s mate on a LST. 

He farmed in Louisa County, was owner and operator of the Letts Tap and worked at Kemp Construction until his retirement.  He spent his retirement enjoying a cabin at Lake Odessa, fishing and boating. 

He was an avid Cubs and Bears fan.  He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren swimming and boating at the lake and going to see them participate in various sports, especially wrestling.

 He will be deeply missed by his wife, Mary “Bea” of Columbus Junction; his three sons, Dick Griffith and wife, Barb and John Griffith and wife, Jan, both of Letts, Ted Griffith and wife, Lisa of West Liberty; two daughters, Sandra Townsley of Letts and Marilyn Wilson and husband, Denise of Gering, Neb.; 11 grandchildren; 22 great- grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter in infancy, a son, Michael in childhood; a grandson, Timothy Griffith, a son-in-law, Terry Townsley; and three sisters, Josephine Stapp, Marguerite Allman and Helen Shenk.