John Griffith, Sr.

John A. Griffith, Sr., 83, of Boonsboro, passed from this life on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown.

Born on February 8, 1931, in  Shepherdstown, West Virginia, he was the son of the late George W. and Geneva L. (LaFolette) Griffith.

John worked his entire life as a dairy farmer, and he had also been an employee of the Bast Funeral Home in Boonsboro.

He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Potomac Lodge 31 in Hagerstown, the Williamsport American Legion Post 202, the Southside Senior Bowling League, AARP, the Maryland Farm Bureau, and the District 12 Ruritan Club.  He was also a member of St. James Brethren Church.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, L. Elaine (Houser) Griffith; one daughter, Cheryl E. Hartle and husband Phillip, and two sons, John A. Griffith, Jr. and Joseph L. Griffith and wife Dawn, all of Boonsboro; four sisters, Frances Forsythe and husband Grant of Williamsport, Mary Crampton of Hagerstown, and June Wyand and husband Ben, and Cheryl Darlene Rice and Husband John, all of Keedysville; one brother, Anthony Griffith of Harrisonburg, Virginia; six grandchildren, Matt, John, Brandon, Adam, Shelby, and Nicolas; and one great granddaughter, Ava.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, five half sisters, and five half brothers.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at the Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro.  Rev. Brad Selan and Rev. Jack C. Payne, Jr. will officiate.  Final resting place ceremonies will follow at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown with military honors rendered by the Clopper-Michael American Legion Post 10 from Boonsboro.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. James Brethren Church Building Fund, 17718 Lappans Road, St. James, Maryland, 21733.