John D. "Jake" Griggs, 87, Mendon, died at 5:20 a.m. Feb. 7, 2011, at The Laurels of Shane Hill in Rockford.

He was born April 3, 1923, in Lima, to John and Vergil Leah Wilson Griggs. On May 25, 1946, he married JoAnne Dilbone, who survives.

Also surviving are two sisters, Elaine (Peter Wayne) Fox, Arcanum, and Janell (Bob) Torrey, Lake Placid, Fla.

Deceased are two brothers, Eugene and Don Griggs; and two sisters, Evelyn Fent and infant Pauline Griggs.

He was the co-owner of Griggs Garage in Mendon, and worked at Chapman's Body Shop in Celina. He also sold real estate in Florida. He was a 1941 graduate of Mendon-Union High School. He was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and a veteran of World War II, where he served in Guam and was a member of the Adm. Nimitz Honor Guard. He played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. He was a life member of the Bowersock Brothers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6772, Spencerville. He was a member of the Shanes Masonic Lodge #377 in Rockford, and the Mendon First Church of God. He served on the Mendon Village Council for several years.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Thursday at W.H. Dick& Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon, the Rev. Dean Bruce officiating. Burial with graveside military rites by the Spencerville V.F.W. is at Mendon Cemetery.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 -10:30 a.m. Thursday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Mendon.

Memorials may be made to the Autism Society of Northwest Ohio or the church.

Condolences may be left at dick.hellwarth@frontier.com.