Wayne Griswold

Born in Harvard, Michigan, Wayne quickly realized the importance of hard work – a value he would carry with him throughout his life in whatever he did. He was a man dedicated to his family and his faith. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family.

The United States was in a time of great change in the year 1918. Though the soldiers were returning home, Europe remained a smoldering wasteland because of World War I. Soldiers came back to find many of the traditional values had been swept aside in favor of a contemporary lifestyle. Into this time of progressiveness, Wayne Griswold was born on February 17, 1918, to Lloyd and Delia (Keller) Griswold. Wayne’s father owned the Harvard Grain Elevator Co. while his mother stayed home to raise him and his sister, Ruth Ann. Wayne spent his growing up years in the close-knit farming town of Harvard, where he lived in the country and down the road from the grain elevator. In those days, the railroad ran straight through town and was always very busy. Much of Wayne’s life centered around the Elevator Co. and when he was old enough he helped out his father doing whatever he could. He also attended the area schools and graduated from Greenville High School in 1935.

Wayne continued working with his father until 1941, when he enlisted with the U.S. Army serving his country during World War II. As a part of the Army Air Corp., Wayne was stationed in California where he was in charge of maintaining the aircrafts. He was authorized to work on everything from the fuselage to the landing gear on several types of aircraft. While in boot camp, Wayne met another young GI named George Cashman, and a great lifelong friendship developed. Although the war was in full throttle during Wayne’s service, he was lucky in the fact that he never had to fight in the war.

Upon his discharge in 1945, Wayne returned to Harvard and working at the Elevator Co. He regularly went to Grand Rapids for purposes of work, but also for some leisure time. It was on one of those excursions that he met a young lady named Alice Clinsky. They fell deeply in love and were married in 1950 at the Basilica of St. Adalbert. The newlyweds took a romantic honeymoon traveling across the country sightseeing at all the major national parks of Yellowstone, the Grand Canyons and Yosemite. They also ventured up into Washington State to visit with Wayne’s war buddy, George, and his wife.

After the honeymoon, Wayne and Alice moved to Grand Rapids and established their first home together. The young couple lovingly opened their home to her father and sister, Stella, who lived with them until their deaths. The already bustling household soon heard the pitter patter of little feet with the arrival of their only child, daughter Chris, in 1954. Although Wayne worked long hours at the Elevator Co. during the busy harvesting time in spring, summer and fall, he and Alice worked together to make family their first priority. The family spent many memorable summers at their cottage on Manton Lake where they enjoyed the sunshine, fishing and swimming.

Wayne was not one to remain idle. Whether working at the Elevator Co. or tinkering at the cottage, he was always full of activity. To the great dismay of Wayne, the Elevator Co. closed in the 1980s because of feeble farming conditions. Retirement life just didn’t agreed with him and after a few years Wayne took a part-time job as a maintenance man to keep busy. Wayne was certainly a dedicated man with many skills. Always active, he enjoyed a plethora of activities including everything from fishing and woodworking, particularly building furniture, to water skiing, which he enjoyed well into his 60s, and snowmobiling with Alice, Chris or her husband Robert. Whether it was a day trip or weekend, Wayne simply liked being on his sled. Wayne had a great youthful outlook on life by staying in shape and never taking anything but an aspirin. He enjoyed a variety of foods, especially when shared with his family.

Although he liked music of the Big Bands and swing, Wayne maintained that his favorite place to be was at Mount St. Helens. His lifelong friend, George, had the opportunity to climb this mountain before it erupted and Wayne adamantly said he would climb it one day, but never got the chance.

The one thing that upheld Wayne throughout his life was his faith. He was a devote Catholic and a member of the Basilica and later worshipped at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Wayne and Alice had shared 41 wonderful years together when she passed away in 1991. Although consumed by grief, Wayne continued to share his home with Stella until her death in 2002.

Wayne Griswold died on Tuesday, February 24, 2004. His wife, Alice, and sister-in-law, Stella Clinsky, preceded him in death. Wayne is survived by his daughter, Chris (Robert) VandeZande; grandson, Rob; sister, Ruth Ann Lastocy; and 2 nieces and a nephew.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 27, 2004, at the Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Relatives and friends may meet his family at the funeral home on Thursday, February 26, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Please visit Wayne’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, leave a memory, order flowers or make a contribution to Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

Wayne Griswold will be remembered as a quiet and unassuming man whose actions spoke volumes of his character. He leaves behind treasured memories for his family to look to for comfort. He will be deeply missed.