Former Mendon resident Don Edward Griggs, 78, of Lima, died at 11:50 p.m. Jan. 25, 2008, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He was born April 9, 1929, in Lima, to John and Vergil Wilson Griggs. On March 16, 1954, he married Martha R. "Marty" Dilbone, who died Nov. 13, 1989. His companion, Deborah Core, survives in Lima.

Other survivors are two sons, Michael (Karla Burtch), Cincinnati, and Scott (Reid), Dallas, Texas; a daughter, Stacey (Mike) Parks, Lima; a brother, John D. "Jake" (JoAnne), Mendon; two sisters, Elaine (Wayne) Fox, Arcanum, and Janell (Bob) Torrey, Lake Placid, Fla.; and eight grandchildren.

Deceased are a brother, Eugene Griggs; and two infant sisters, Evelyn Fent and Pauline Griggs.

He was a car salesman for 50 years and the owner of Griggs Garage in Mendon for 30 years and later worked for various auto dealerships in the area. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean conflict, a member of Mendon First Church of God, Veterans of Foreign Wars , Spencerville, and Shanes Lodge Free and Accepted Masons, of Rockford. He was a 1947 graduate of the former Mendon-Union High School.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, Mendon, Lamar Roebuck officiating. Burial is at Mendon Cemetery.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Contributions can be made to the Autism Society of America, Bethesda, Md.