Dale V Griggs' Obituary
Dale V. Griggs, 70, of Decatur, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2020, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Dale was born September 6, 1950, in Pittsfield, IL to Marion E. and Ora Mae (DeWitt) Griggs. He graduated from Perry High School in May of 1969. He married Joyce Eileen Lane on August 16, 1969 in Perry, Illinois. He served with the United States Army from February 1970 through November 1971 which included a tour in Vietnam. After returning from the military Dale continued his education and was ordained to minister in the Free Methodist Church of North America. He served churches in Quincy, Illinois, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Clinton Illinois and Bethany, Illinois, where he retired. For a short time after retirement, he worked at ADM in Decatur.
Dale loved reading, fishing, gardening and watching the hummingbirds at his feeders. He enjoyed nature and being outdoors. He was an excellent woodworker and enjoyed fixing things for his family and friends. Dale rarely met a stranger and could carry on a conversation about almost any topic. Dale’s greatest love was for God and for his family. He enjoyed spending time making them laugh and feel loved.
Dale is survived by his wife Joyce of 51 years; six children, Jeff (Jeannie) Griggs of Chicago, IL, Jennifer (David) Yantis of Bethany, IL, Amy (John Donnell) Riley of Downs, IL, Melissa (Donny) Koehler of Macon, IL, Pamela Griggs of Decatur, IL and Jacob Griggs of Decatur, IL; five grandchildren, Austin and Grace Koehler of Macon, IL, Kadence Riley of Downs, IL, Jackson Donnell and Audrie Donnell of Downs, IL; his two sisters, Virginia Griggs and Sandra (Michael) Stambaugh of Palm Harbor, FL; sister-in-law, Debbie (Roger) Brawdy; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Marion “Butch” Griggs, Jr.
Dale attends the First Church of the Nazarene in Decatur.
The family would like to thank the ambulance and paramedic services for their rapid response and the staff on the DMH Cardio/vascular unit ICU for their special care during his stay.
Honoring Dale Griggs’s wishes, cremation services will be provided by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. No public services are planned at this time, out of respect for everyone’s safety. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Help 4 Heroes or the James Project. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Obituary written by family.
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