Anthony W. "Tony" Grilliot, 88, Celina, Ohio passed away peacefully on March 24, 2025 having "not a complaint in the world."

Youngest son of Magdalene (Barhorst) Grilliot, Tony was born in Russia, Ohio on July 23, 1936. While attending Versailles High School, he played both defensive and offensive lines in football and worked at the family farm where he was frequently tormented by the family's rooster.

After graduating high school, Tony served in the U.S. Army. While home on leave, he met Marita Buening at a community dance. Tony and Marita married on Tony's birthday so he would never forget an anniversary and celebrated their 66th anniversary prior to his passing. Tony is survived by Marita and their four children Gregory Grilliot, of Dayton, Sandra (Thomas) Peacock, of Houston, Texas, Gary (Lindsey) Grilliot of Reston, Virginia, and Jane (Jonathan) Kearl of Newport Beach, California. Tony's infant daughter Mary and daughter-in-law Tere de Souza Grilliot, both much beloved, passed previously. Tony was very proud of his eight grandchildren, each of whom survive: Dr. Lu (Dr. Julie Payne) de Souza, Ryan Grilliot, Nicholas (Frances Jay) Grilliot, Katherine Peacock, Julianna Peacock, Jackson (Harlow) Kearl, Maxx Kearl, and Ava Grilliot.

Tony was blessed to come from a family of ten siblings and to be welcomed into a family of ten siblings through his marriage. Of these, Tony is survived by sister Elaine Berger of Versailles, and sisters-in-law Mary DeMange, Ansonia, Jeanette Grilliot, Beavercreek, Jane Buening and Dorothy Buening, both of Coldwater. He is preceded in death by the following family members and in laws: Percy (Lu) Grilliot, Delbert (Mary Ida) Grilliot, Delbert's second wife Wilda Grilliot, Delores (Ivo) Siegrist, Cy (Mary) Grilliot, Mary Louise Monnin, Anna (Paul) Schmitz, Henrietta (Thomas) Winner, Marcus Grilliot, Francis Berger, Ernest Buening, Urban (Rita) Buening, Roman (Norma) Buening, Albert Buening, Gregor (Helen) Buening, Paul (Juanita) Buening, Louis Buening, Clarence Buening, and Robert DeMange.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Tony was a barber in Celina, Ohio before joining Reynolds and Reynolds where he worked for over thirty years. After retirement, Tony went on to work at the Mercer County Council on Aging for ten years before concentrating on his volunteer activities.

Tony welcomed the challenge of a good cause, including working with his close friends to start the first waffle stand for the Immaculate Conception Church, building the original stand in the driveway of his home in 1969. He also served as usher at the church and was a member and volunteer with the Knights of Columbus. Tony donated his time to the Cheryl Ann, serving for a decade as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors, the Mercer County Council on Aging, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he was also a member. Later in life, he volunteered with St. John Builders where he very much enjoyed doing construction work and home improvements for those in need. Those who were lucky enough to know Tony knew that he was always happy to help and always responded to inquires of his well-being with the reply "not a complaint in the world," even when his children were teenagers and giving him much to complain about.

Tony never turned down a game of cards or Scrabble, and he and Marita were each other's favorite partners and opponents, playing nightly. Tony and Marita were part of a group of four couples who played cards every New Years' Eve for over fifty years. When interviewed about this bond in 2004, Tony said: "It's amazing that all eight of us are still alive and getting along. There is bound to be an empty chair at some point in the future, but in the meantime, we are having a hell of a good run."

Tony had a good run, and his chair is now empty. He will be waiting on the other side for all his family and friends with his tools, a deck of cards, and truly not a complaint in the world.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Prashanth Bandanadham officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Elizabeth Cemetery, Coldwater, Ohio, with military honors.

Friends and family may call from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 28, 2025 and 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. on Saturday at the Lehman Dzendzel Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent De Paul society of Immaculate Conception Church 229 W. Anthony St. Celina, OH 45822 and St. John Builders 1100 N Main St. Celina, OH 45822.

Condolences may be shared with the Grilliot family online at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.