Rolland Henry Griner

Rolland was born April 21, 1929 to the late Sylvan & Hilda (Fark) Griner in New Bremen, Ohio and moved to Minster, Ohio in 1942. He graduated class of 1947 Minster High School then joined the Air Force and trained to be a hospital laboratory technologist. He was stationed at Air Force bases in Germany, Montgomery AL, Columbus OH, Sidi Silmane Morocco, Abilene TX, Topeka KS and Tampa FL. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 and continued to work as a lab tech at Tampa Osteopathic Hospital, St. Pete Osteopathic Hospital, USF Health Clinics and Moffitt Cancer Center, retiring in June 1993.

Rolland was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Barbara (Weaver) Griner; his second wife of 17 years Patricia (Weaver) Hoying Griner, stepson Steven Hoying, stepdaughter Nancy Hoying and two great grandchildren. Rolland was also preceded in death by stepmother Ida (Dirksen) Griner, four siblings: Howard Griner, Anna Mae (Francis “Joe”) Axe, Marilynn (Victor) Meyer and Allen Griner as well as mother-in-law Henrietta (Vondenhuevel) Weaver and brothers and sisters in-law: Irene (Raymond) Knostman, Elmer (Mary Jane) Weaver, Rosemary (Joseph) Wesbecher, Eleanore (James) Price, Robert (Jeanette) Weaver, Donald Weaver, and John “Edward” Hoying.

He is survived by his children Rolland "Sonny" Griner Jr. (Brandon Brooks), Valerie (Rick) Highers, Cindy Griner, Rachel Griner, Theresa (Billy) Vance and JoAnn Griner (Donna Buckingham), step daughter in law Cathy Hoying and stepson Glen (Violet) Hoying. He has 16 surviving grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Family was very important to Rolland and he valued spending time together during yearly family reunions. His sharp wit and love of games brought many laughs to those around him. During his life Rolland enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, golf, bowling, cards, board games, jigsaw puzzles, traveling and cheering on the Cincinnati Reds. He was a strong loving man with a great faith in God. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, American Legion and VFW.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Tampa, Florida with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, Brandon, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post #387 Minster, Ohio; Canterfield Assisted Living Community of Kennesaw Employee Appreciation Fund; St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Tampa, Florida or charity of choice.