07/10/2000
Obituary for Gerald Byron Griffioen, KHS 1954, compiled from information provided by his son and written by Moe Wadle on September 8, 2013.
Gerald Byron Griffioen was born November 17, 1935, in Marion County, Iowa to Anthony and Jeanette (Snetslaar) Griffioen. He grew up in rural Marion County southwest of Knoxville. His last two years of elementary school were at the Pleasant Ridge rural school which is now a Marion County Museum. He graduated from Knoxville, Iowa High School with the class of 1954.
He was married to Clara Andrews of Rural Knoxville and from this union, three children were born. Gerald and Clara later divorced. Gerald spent virtually all of his adult life in Iowa. He was employed for many years as a union sheet metal worker in the Des Moines area. His favorite pastimes were fishing and boating.
After his retirement, Gerald moved to the Indiana/Kentucky area. On July 10, 2000, Gerald lost a long battle with cancer. He passed away in Fredonia, Kentucky, and was interred at Bellefontaine Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his three children: Joe (Kristine) Griffioen of Belmond, Iowa, Jean (Duane) Hanson of Goodel, Iowa, and Julie of Elkhart, Iowa. Also, surviving are nine grandchildren.