Charles Griffith

Charles E. Griffith, Jr., 88, of rural Napoleon, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Fulton Manor, surrounded by his family. He was born on December 30, 1937, in Flint, Michigan, to the late Elizabeth (Jacobs) and Charles E. Griffith, Sr. He was welcomed into heaven by his beloved wife, Lois Ann (Weddelman). They were married at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Florida, Ohio on July 2, 1966. She preceded him in death on September 18, 1999. Charles was a 1957 graduate of Defiance High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Defiance College in 1961. Mr. Griffith was an educator at heart, spending a majority of his career teaching science and math at Delta High School while teaching at Northwest State Community College in the evening. Throughout his career, he also developed and instructed training programs for numerous local industries. Early in his career, he spent summers working for DeKalb in Deshler, Ohio. A devoted community leader and volunteer, Charlie was a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wauseon. He served as a 4-H advisor, mentoring countless young people, particularly in poultry projects. Charlie also served as Mayor of Liberty Center, Secretary of the Henry County Fair, a member of the Henry County Planning Commission, and a member of the Henry County Retired Teachers Association. He enjoyed growing and selling a variety of produce in the summers to sell at the roadside. He wrote several books for his grandkids about family history. His dedication to agriculture and youth development earned him induction into the Henry County Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2021. Charlie & Lois always wanted a dozen kids, but he had to wait until their six kids married to get them. He is survived by his children, Janet (Mark) Seedorf, Patricia (Jeff) Wiemken, Charles (Sunday) Griffith, Ken (Amanda) Griffith, Martha (David) Gebers, and Kimberly (Bob) Jones; grandchildren, Claire (Zach) Hale, Chloe (Alex) Van De Bussche, Callie Seedorf, Will Seedorf, Brett (Eadyn) Wiemken, Audrey (Andrew) Caster, Brock Wiemken, Ella Griffith, Ada Griffith, Mitchell Griffith, Ryan Griffith, Vivian Gebers, Owen Gebers, Lucy Jones, Eliza Jones, and Jack Jones; and great-grandson, George Caster. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lynn Dailey. Charlie loved to listen to Paul W. Smith on Detroit’s WJR and reminded everyone that “each day is a gift, make each and every day count.” Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wauseon. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home in Napoleon, and on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Luke Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.rodenbergergray.com.

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Charles Griffith

December 30, 1937 - June 5, 2026