It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Francis Geoffrey Griffith III (Wiff, Jeff) on December 5, 2024, at the age of 78. Jeff was born on October 12, 1946, to Francis Geoffrey Jr and Rita in San Luis Obispo, California. Just 9 days after his 17th birthday, Wiff enlisted in the United States Army on October 21, 1963. He first served with B Company 511th Infantry; 11th Air Assault Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. When deploying to Viet Nam he was an SP-4 in Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division (Airmobile) unit. In October and November of 1965 in the Pleiku campaign, 237 soldiers lost their lives and 258 were injured. Jeff was wounded in action in that campaign at the battle of LaDrang in November 1965. Sergeant Griffith was discharged from the U.S. Army on October 21, 1966, at Fort Collins, Colorado.
Having a lifelong interest in currency from around the world, it fully peaked with the advent of eBay. Jeff became an active, early member of the eBay community, buying, selling, and trading U.S. and international currency. He enjoyed cruising in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, spending time with friends and family, and trying to “crack” the winning combination of numbers in the Lottery. Jeff has been described by others as: kind, caring, funny, (my) hero, strong, humorous, loving, charismatic, grateful, and cool. One view, shared by many, is – having a unique quality of bringing joy to others by laughing at his own jokes!
He is survived by loving children: Peggy Griffith Irvin, Geoff Griffith, Mallory Griffith, and Natalie Griffith. Grandchildren: Jake Irvin, Maggie Stevens, Francis (Mitch) Griffith, Nickolas Pravecek and Roman Pravecek. Great-Grandchildren: Harper, Ryker, Annabelle, Jackson, and Madelynn. Bonus children: Marshall Guthrie and Tobi Guthrie. Siblings: Geraldine Griffith Grott, Grace (Cis) Griffith Gorski, Tim Griffith, and Jeanne Griffith. Nieces and Nephew: Anne and Joannie Grott and Abbey and Patrick Griffith. Francis (Jeff, Wiff, Dad, Grandad, Papa Wiff, Brother, Uncle) will be greatly missed by his family, his LaPorte life-long friends, his “brothers” (a close group of Viet Nam Vets) in California and his new friends in the Tampa, Florida Bay Area.
Arrangements are under the direction of Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services 602 Maple Ave. La Porte, IN 46350 219.362.3333.
A Graveside Service will take place Saturday, April 12 at St. Joseph Cemetery at 11 am with Deacon Frank officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the Honor Guard of La Porte.
Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com
