Lawrence Edward Griffin, Beloit, WI  (1924 - 2013)

June 26, 1924 - March 16, 2013
Lawrence Edward Griffin, 88, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Hospice Care at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital (CLC) in Madison, WI. He was born June 26, 1924, in Beloit, WI, the son of Lawrence James and Rose (Klein) Griffin. Lawrence married Marian L. Resler on March 29, 1946, in South Beloit, IL. She predeceased him March 26, 2010. Lawrence served in the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1941, at Camp Ettrick, WI, and at the Badger Ordinance Works in Baraboo, WI. During World War II, Lawrence served in the Army Air Corp, 12th Air Force, 340 Bomb Group, 489 Bomb Squadron. He was a tail gunner on a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. Lawrence flew out of Corsica, and was shot down and became a POW on his 49th mission. For his service, Lawrence received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Citation, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and ETO Service Medal with 3 battle stars.
Lawrence was employed by the Freeman Shoe Corporation for 36 years and retired in 1988. He enjoyed gambling, traveling, fishing, bargain hunting, spending many fun vacations at Devil’s Lake State Park, and was honored to have been on the 2010 VetsRoll trip. Lawrence cared deeply about others. He was a terrific neighbor, and volunteered at a local nursing home for 13 years. Lawrence provided many years of tender care for Marian, the love of his life.
Survivors include his daughter, Maureen (Max Weber) Griffin of Madison, WI; son, L. David (Kathy) Griffin of Beloit, WI; grandchildren, Jennifer (Joseph) Dammen of Clinton, WI, and Elizabeth (Doug) Caldwell of Janesville, WI; great-grandchild, Joseph Griffin Dammen; sister, Marilyn (Ray) Doyle of Rockford, IL; and sister-in-law, Peggy (David) Engleson of Sun Prairie, WI. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and three brothers.
The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital and the Community Living Center (CLC) for the extraordinary care Lawrence received.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at the DALEY MURPHY WISCH & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI, with Pastor Norman Stark officiating. Burial will be in the Shopiere Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. and on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the FUNERAL HOME.
Memorials may be given in Lawrence's name to VetsRoll.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.daleymurphywisch.com.