Harold P. Griffith

Moline, Illinois Harold P. Griffith, 87, of Moline, well-known Moline High School teacher and guidance counselor, died Saturday, October 23, 2004, at Trinity Medical Center, Rock Island. Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at First Congregational Church, Moline. Entombment is in Moline Memorial Park Mausoleum, where Moline American Legion Post #246 will present military honors. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline. Memorials may be made to the Harold P. Griffith Chapter of Moline High School National Honor Society Foundation. Harold Paul Griffith was born December 23, 1916, in Seaton, Illinois, the son of Milton and Clara (Armstrong) Griffith. He graduated from Seaton High School and Monmouth College, and received his Masters Degree in Education from the University of Iowa. He served in the U. S. Coast Guard during WW II, and was involved in action in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Far East Theaters. He married Mildred Schiess on January 6, 1945, in New York City. He was an educator for 39 years, and was employed by Moline School District #40 for 31 years as an English and Speech Teacher and Guidance Counselor at Moline High School, retiring in 1981. He previously taught in Reynolds, Illinois, for seven years, and Bensonville, Illinois, for one year, and also taught speed reading at Black Hawk College for many years. Fifty years ago, he and the late Barbara Garst co-founded the National Honor Society Chapter at Moline High School, which was renamed the Harold P. Griffith Chapter in his honor in 1981. Upon his retirement, he started the National Honor Society Foundation which awards scholarships to graduating National Honor Society members. Harold was a member of First Congregational Church, Moline, Illinois Retired Teachers Association, Phi Delta Kappa, American Legion Post #246, and VFW Post #2153. He enjoyed gardening, doing yard work, and spending time with his family. Harold is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mildred; five children and their spouses, Gloria and Steve Wisley of Coal Valley, Karen and Joe Billman of Dumfries, Virginia, John Griffith of Moline, Joline and Steve Schroder of Rock Island, and Jeffrey and Pamela Griffith of Moline; six grandchildren, Andy and Katie Billman, Eric and Jennifer Schroder, and Laura and Scott Griffith; and a sister, Mildred Clark of Silver Spring, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Vivian Boley, and two brothers, Richard and Boyd Griffith. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com. END OF OBITUARY