Emmet Griffin

Emmet Orin Griffin was a Renaissance man – a man with wide interests and skilled in many areas. From fixing anything mechanical to playing the violin, Emmet was a man who used his abilities to make a good life for his family.

The year 1916 often brings thoughts of World War I and the United States’ eminent involvement. But in 1916, good things were also happening. The citizens of Montana elected Jeanette Rankin to Congress – the first woman to serve in Congress. In August of that year, the Department of the Interior established the U.S. Park Service, and to the delight of shoppers, the first self-service grocery store opened. On September 18, 1916, good things were happening in Riverton Township, in Mason County, Michigan. On the family farm, John and Blanche (Towns) Griffin were welcoming the birth of their son, Emmet.

Emmet spent his childhood in the Riverton area and attended East Riverton School. He then went on to Scottville High School, where he participated in many activities. He was very active in 4-H and won several awards at the State competition for his woodworking projects. He was also State Runner-Up for Health Fitness. Emmet loved physical activity and participated in a number of sports. He competed in canoe races on the Pere Marquette River and placed third in a race, partnered with friend Emery Thurow. In addition, to this, he played second base for the Riverton Semi-Pro baseball team. However, sports were not his only interest. He liked music and played the violin, frequently joining with friends Wendell and Eleanor Young and Elvie Anderson to play for dances at the Griffin home for the community. In spite of all his extra curricular activities, Emmet also worked on the family farm, helping his father and grandfather. His grandfather was also the local postmaster, and the Post Office was located on the family farm. The Griffin farm was an important place for the citizens of Riverton.

Emmet graduated from Scottville High School in 1935, and just recently attended a class reunion with the classes of 1933, 1934, and 1935. In 1933, at the age of 17, Emmet began taking flying lessons. After high school, young Emmet went to work as a carpenter, in Detroit. But the “flying bug” had bitten Emmet. He made his first solo flight in 1936 from the Detroit City Airport and decided to leave his job in Detroit and went to Angola, Indiana to take classes in aircraft maintenance. He then returned to Detroit and went to work for Stinson Aircraft. He worked several positions while at Stinson. He was supervisor of the assembly line, helped to design aircraft, and also worked as a welder. During this time, he courted a young lady named Mary Phoebe Ann Gatfield. The couple fell in love and were married on April 19, 1941 at the Community Church in Ludington.

Emmet left Stinson aircraft to return home and help his father on the farm. He also began working for Continental Motors, in Muskegon, as a certified welder, and this was his chief responsibility. Emmet knew how to perform every job in the plant and could work every piece of machinery. When Consumer’s Power started building the pump storage project on Lake Michigan, he worked as a welder in the bullpen, welding framework for the massive turbines. When this project was finished, Emmet again returned to Continental Motors, and continued working until his retirement in 1975. He had always loved fixing machinery and often worked repairing various appliances for Don “Dunk” Sanders in between jobs.

Emmet kept very busy after retirement. He had his own plane and spent many hours flying his 1947 Aeronca Chief airplane – which was powered by a Continental motor, providing rides and transportation for many in the community. Emmet was often contracted by the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate crash sites in the area. Traveling was a favorite pastime, and Emmet and Mary enjoyed traveling to Alaska and Hawaii, and wintering in Arizona. Not one to sit still for very long, while they were in Arizona, frequent trips were made to Mexico and California. While in Michigan, Emmet was part of several area Air Dawn Patrols, in particular, the Ludington Dawn Patrol, the Hastings Dawn Patrol, and the Kinchloe Air Patrol. He often received awards for being the oldest pilot, and the oldest plane in attendance. He continued to fly his plane until he had quadruple heart bypass. After the operation, his health began to fail and he was no longer able to keep up the maintenance on his beloved Aeronca Chief. His flight career spanned over 65 years during which he logged over 1600 hours of flight.

The carpentry skills that he showed as a young lad in 4-H were put to use when Emmet built his own home on the family farm. He also helped his son David build his home on the site of Emmet’s grandfather’s post office.

His wife, Mary, preceded him in death in 1996. He is survived by his son, David (Diane) Griffin of Scottville; daughter Susanne (Douglas W.) Smith of Hastings; his grandchildren, Dana L. Griffin of Ludington, Mark (Michelle) Griffin of Walker, Kami Griffin of Scottville, Craig (Kimberly) Smith of Vicksburg, and Elisa (Ross) Jackson of Lake Odessa; his great grandchildren Ashley and Justin Smith, and Luke, Jake, and Brody Jackson; his sister-in-law Ruth Gatfield of Ludington, his nephews Charles Gatfield, and Donald (Sandra) Gatfield, and his niece Caroline (Dennis) Dietlyn; and special friend, Emma Burns.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 26, at 1:30 PM at Stephens Funeral Chapel in Scottville. Burial will be next to his wife Mary, and the rest of his family, at Brookside Cemetery in Scottville. To read Emmet’s complete life story, share a memory, send flowers or make a memorial contribution, please visit his personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com.