John A. Griffith, Sr.

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

Born on Feb. 8, 1931, in Shepherdstown, 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 Bast Funeral Home in Boonsboro.

He was a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows Potomac Lodge 31 in Hagerstown, Williamsport American Legion Post 202, Southside Senior Bowling League, AARP, Maryland Farm Bureau, and 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, 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 was held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Bast-Stauffer Funeral Home, 7606 Old National Pike in Boonsboro. Rev. Brad Selan and Rev. Jack C. Payne Jr. officiated. Final resting place ceremonies followed at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park in Hagerstown with military honors rendered by the Clopper-Michael American Legion Post 10 from Boonsboro.

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

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at BastStaufferFuneral Home.com.