Lake Ann, Michigan - After an extended illness, Joel Griffith loving husband and loving father to Danny and Barbara has gone to be with his Lord and Savior.

Joel was born to the late George and Lenora (Kellogg) Griffith on May 6, 1945, in Saint Johns, MI. When Joel was one year old, his family moved to the Lake Ann area. That is where he grew up with his brothers William, Carl, Lewis, Robert and George Jr. and sisters Betty and Bonny.

In 1963 Joel met the love of his life Judy (Brigham). They married on December 21 that year. The following year Danny was born, and two years after that Barbara was born. They raised their family in the long Lake area and in 1984 they moved to Bendon where they resided for the rest of their lives.

Joel worked in construction his entire life mostly as a brick/block mason. He also learned carpentry and had the skills to build complete homes. Later in his career he led crews building foundations and floors for large commercial buildings.

Joel loved growing a large garden with his family and sharing the harvest with both family and friends. He and Judy also planted and maintained a small apple orchard of 30 plus trees and a small vineyard area with multiple varieties of both grapes and apples. He always looked forward to fall harvest time when the whole family came together to help pick apples, grind and press many gallons of cider. Grapes were also harvested and many types of grape and apple grape wines were made over the years.

Joel liked camping but was an avid hunter and fisherman. He and Judy shared a lifetime of deer hunting and big lake fishing together. Joel loved sharing his love for the outdoors with anyone, but most especially his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Joel is survived by his son Danny and s.o. Jayne, daughter Barbara and fiancé Tony.

Grandchildren Chris Huttenga and wife Melissa, Heather Gifford and husband Skylar, Cody Bennett and s.o. Mandy, Lane Griffith and wife Krystyna, and Shea Griffith.

Great-grandchildren Harper, Hunter, Evelyn, Addison, Cooper, Oliver, Maddaline, and Eva.

Also surviving are his brothers Lewis, Robert, and George Jr,

Joel was preceded in death by his loving wife Judy, his parents George Griffith and Lenora Marks, his stepfather William Arther Marks, brothers William and Carl, sisters Betty and Bonny, his daughter-in-law Jennifer (Danny) Griffith. Also preceded in death by brother-in-laws Kenneth (Betty) Johnson, Addison (Bonny) Wheelock, Jerry (Peggy) Brigham, Gordon (Janice) Steele and sister-in-laws Sharon (Lewis) Griffith, and Judy (Lee) Brigham.

Special thanks to Rick Bennett for always checking up on him. Also, to his friends and family members that stopped by or called during his illness; what a blessing you all are.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday August 8th at the Interlochen Eagles Banquet room from 2pm-5pm.