March 16, 1926 - Dec. 30, 2012

ELKHART — Glendon A. "Glen" Van Der Griff, 86, of Elkhart, passed away from a brief illness at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, at Elkhart General Hospital.

He was born in Elevenpoint, Ark., to the late Augustus and Altona (Stacy) Van Der Griff on March 16, 1926 and later married Dorothy H. "Helen" Jones on June 10, 1947. She passed away in Elkhart in 2008.

Glen was also preceded in death by a son, Darrell.

Surviving are his sons, Gordon L. (Willene) Van Der Griff of Vienna, Ga., Ronald G. Van Der Griff of Elkhart and Melvin R. (Cathy) Van Der Griff of Middlebury; daughters Teresa P. Pinkard of Elkhart and Linda L. (Kevin) Briggs of Walkerton; sister Dorothy "Dot" (Kenneth) Woody of Missouri; 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Glen's life will take place at noon Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, with a viewing starting at 11 a.m. at New Life Christian Center, 15685 S.R. 120, Bristol. Pastor Dwight Gosser will officiate.

Military honors will be rendered at the church by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV Chapter 19.

At Glen's request, cremation will follow the services with burial taking place at a later date at Osceola Cemetery.

Arrangements have been placed under the care and direction of Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart.

Glen worked more than 20 years at J.J. Babbitt Manufacturing Co.of Elkhart, retiring in the late 1980s. He was also a U.S. Navy veteran during World War II, serving in the Pacific theater of operations.

Online condolences can reach the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

Memorial donations can be given to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County.

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