Edwin Herschel Griffith

Born in Cambridge, Ohio to Edwin Earl and Floetta Ruby (nee Hancock) Griffith, he spent his formative years working as a lifeguard, ambulance driver and house builder, enjoying school, and excelling in sports. Ed's talent in football earned him a full scholarship to Lake Forest College in Illinois, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Psychology and was a live-in counselor at the Lake Forest Boys Home. After that, he pursued a masters in Experimental Psychology at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, followed by an advanced degree in Education Administration from Western Illinois University and finally his PhD in Education Administration from the University of Iowa. Discovering his true calling, he held a number of teaching positions at various high schools and colleges, including becoming the first principal of the new Adlai Stevenson High School in 1965. The majority of his career was spent in the Peoria Public School System, where he rose to the position of Superintendent and oversaw 29 schools and 15,000 students and served for 24 years. One of his notable career accomplishments was that he started the first charter school in Illinois.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ed was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting, fishing, camping, boating, photography and scuba diving. After retiring, Ed particularly enjoyed traveling and hunting. Some of his fondest hunting experiences included three African safaris, as well as domestic hunting trips. He was an excellent shot, winning awards in skeet shooting.

Ed's passion for sports extended to coaching and assisting in managing youth sports. He devoted many hours in the development of his two sons and their teammates in both hockey and baseball. He loved hockey throughout his life, and cheered on his granddaughter Kayla playing for the women's team at Lake Forest College.

His affection for his home and garden was evident, but he held a special fondness for his meticulously maintained lawn. Ed was devoted to his dogs throughout his life.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife of 10 years, Sandra (nee Brown), whom he met in high school and reconnected with at a high school reunion; his sons Tom (Kathy) Griffith and Jeff (Penny) Griffith; his stepdaughters Andrea (William) Christensen and Emily (Adam) Roe; his grandchildren Kayla (George) Gerasimou, Ty, Jenna, Mitchell, and Ethan Griffith; step grandchildren Madison and Sophie Bright and Ivy and Keegan Roe; adorable great grandson Jax Gerasimou; his adoring sister Loretta (James) Moss; and a niece and two nephews.

A memorial service for Ed will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 8th, 2023 at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 North Cemetery Road, Gurnee, Illinois. Ed's ashes will be driven to Cambridge, Ohio where he will be laid to rest with his beloved parents.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the Griffith family.