John G. Griffin

John Griffin, age 86, of Glenwood, MN died Thursday, April 7, 2022 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. A memorial service celebrating John's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10th at Glenwood Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 9th, at the funeral home in Glenwood and will continue at the church on Tuesday morning, one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Glenwood Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.  

John “Johnnie” Gregory Griffin, son of John Eugene “Jack” and Almora Edwinna (Arnold) Griffin, was born May 10, 1935 in Minneapolis, MN. When he was five years old his family moved to Glenwood. He attended school in Glenwood and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1954. On July 15, 1954, John entered the United States Navy. He served his country during the Korean Conflict receiving the Good Conduct Medal, the China Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Following his honorable discharge on June 13, 1958, John enrolled at St. Cloud State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Education. His first job out of college was at Barnesville Elementary School where he taught for three years before accepting a position in Glenwood, where he taught elementary school from 1970 until his retirement on November 16, 1992.

On August 20, 1960, John was united in marriage to Bonita “Bonnie” Berg at Glenwood Lutheran Church. They were blessed with a son, Todd, a daughter, Tami, and two sons that died in infancy, Stephan John and John Forrest. John and Bonnie later divorced but remained on good terms.

On June 22, 1989, John was united in marriage to Teresa “Teri” Ring in Texas. With this marriage, John was blessed with three step-children: Tennille, Melissa and Jake. John and Teri made their home in Glenwood.

John was a member of the Glenwood VFW, where he served as Commander from 1995-2000, and the Glenwood American Legion, where he was active in the honor guard and served as a Post officer and Jr. Vice Commander. He was also a member of Glenwood Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir. John loved to work outside, splitting and stacking wood and mowing his lawn. In his younger years, he enjoyed swimming and was a lifeguard while living in Barnesville. He was on a golf league in Glenwood and very active in Show Stoppers for Waterama. He was also known to enjoy dressing up for crazy days during Waterama.

John will be remembered for his smile, with his one dimple on the right side of his face, a family trait that was also inherited by his daughter, Tami; his famous expressions and his jokes. 

John is survived by his wife, Teresa “Teri” Griffin of Glenwood; his son, Todd Griffin of Glenwood; his daughter, Tami (special friend, Brian Kayser) Griffin of Sartell; two step-children, Melissa “Missy” Ring of St. Cloud, and Jacob (Roxanne) Ring of Hoffman; four grandchildren, Kayla and Kylie Ring and Detrick and Evan Grossman; his sister, Penny (John) Messenger; his former wife, Bonnie Holthusen; a step-son-in-law, Aaron Grossman; and other relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Almora Griffin; two infant sons, Stephan John and John Forrest Griffin; and a step-daughter, Tennille Grossman.

John’s family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at St. Cloud Hospital for their exceptional care and expertise during his stay. They would also like to thank the St. Cloud VA and the Max Bielke Alexandria VA, the Glacial Ridge Health Care System, and a special thank you to Daryl Klous and his staff at Ridgewood Villa in Glenwood, for their care over the last several years.

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