Keith William Griffith

Keith W. Griffith, 74, went to his heavenly home Sunday evening, November 5, 2023. Greeting him in heaven are his mother and father Donna “Dot” Griffith (Dennison) and William “Bill” Griffith, and a younger sister Patricia Myles. Sisters Pam Branson and Kathy Peters along with her husband Bob join the rest of his family in mourning his death and celebrating the many years of Keith’s charm and wit. Perhaps most of all, Keith will be missed by his loving wife, Linda (Klenzman) Griffith who he leaves behind after sharing over 53 lovely years of marriage and life together.

Keith grew up in Caledonia, Ohio alongside his sisters and was raised a country boy. He showed hogs and sheep and told stories of taking his shotgun with him on the bus to go hunting with a buddy after school. He graduated from River Valley High School with the class of 1968. As a Viking he played football with some of his best friends who he always painted in a fairer light than himself. He was a habitual teller of stories, often recanting the same stories to the same audience. Earning a shout of “RERUN” when the audience could repeat the story back to Keith with the same punchline and timing as he would deliver himself. Many of the stories he told came from his years working on the railroad as a carman and engineer. This profession came naturally to Keith as it was his father’s footsteps which lead him to his work on the railroad. He told tales of the people he met and the places he ventured, and the troubles and triumphs that this at times grueling work held for him. After nearly 40 years on the railroad and his final 11 years with Norfolk Southern, Keith retired in January of 2010 into his other passions. This included spending more time with his family who also hold an unusually strong appreciation for trains if only because of the railman Keith was.

Keith loved and enjoyed children without exception but especially cherished time with his own family. His son Shannon Griffith (Cassie Gregory) will remember the humor and spunk he carried with him to his final days. His grandchildren Mason Griffith (Hannah Griffith), Emily (Griffith) Price (Nicholas Price), and Gavin Griffith, carry with them endless memories and wisdoms bestowed upon them by their ever present and loving grandfather. Mason and Hannah’s son Noah Griffith was the sole great-grandchild Keith was blessed to meet with a great-granddaughter due to arrive any day. Keith gained two more grandchildren, Kade and Chase Ebert, when Cassie and Shannon married on Keith’s birthday in 2020. These family members along with many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law will miss Keith’s presence at holidays and other family gatherings.

He relished his time outdoors; passionately tending to his garden, casting a line with friends and family, or golfing with his best friend and brother-in-law, John Klenzman. He enjoyed playing card games at holidays, but especially Euchre, and would tell you if you played the wrong card. He would drink coffee in his chair in the mornings, wore Old Spice aftershave, and worshipped God fiercely. He would mow the grass to perfection for a game of croquet with the family and was usually first to get poison but would sometimes let us win. He made a hearty ham and potato soup and loved his sister’s peanut butter chocolate cake. It is equally both the exceptional moments from Keith’s life and the incredibly mundane habits from his day to day living that his family and friends will hold dear as we remember the person he was to all of those who loved him.

We encourage you to make contributions in Keith’s memory to Tranquility Hospice and Embassy of Marion to thank both organizations for the excellent work they continue to do and the care they took of our friend Keith.