Lavern Edward "Griff" Griffis, 59, of North Platte died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at his home in North Platte.

Lavern "Griff" was born Dec. 8, 1947, at North Platte to Lavern Jack and Lillian Elmira Jackson Griffis. He grew up in Colorado and joined the U.S. Army in September 1967 and fought in Vietnam. He received his discharge in June 1971 with a Purple Heart.

Griff returned to Colorado after his discharge and later lived in many states. Griff was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1504.

Griff is survived by two daughters, Kathy and Jennifer; three brothers, Robert Griffis of North Platte, Ronald and wife Debra Griffis of Iowa City, Iowa, and Kendall Griffis of Layton, Utah; six nephews; and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Keith Griffis and Carl Griffis.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2007, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell with Chaplain Harry Spohn of the VFW officiating. Military honors will be provided by the North Platte Veterans' Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. today and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore.

North Platte Telegraph, 28 Feb 2007