Lyle Everett Griffiths passed away peacefully on Jan 10, 2012, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug 13, 1935 in Columbus, NE to Everett and Florence Griffiths. In 1947, the family moved to Lake Andes, SD where Lyle graduated from Lake Andes High School in 1954. The family then moved to Pierre, SD in 1955 and finally settled in Helena, MT in 1956.
On Oct 28, 1963 Lyle married Judy Leybold in Butte, MT. Together they raised 8 children and worked many jobs to support their family. In 1978, Lyle began working at the City of Helena Water Treatment Plant until his retirement in 2000. Lyle was a true craftsman, he loved to purchase antique furniture at auctions or estate sales and refinish them to their natural beauty. He also loved to design and build numerous things, including wind chimes, benches, Adirondack chairs, coffee tables, clocks and bird baths. He tried his hand at stained glass, and his latest hobby was pottery. He was a member of the Clay Arts Guild, where he created many pottery pieces that will forever be treasured by his family. He really enjoyed working with clay and made so many things, that he decided to start selling his pottery at the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. Lyle’s true passion though was gardening and horticulture. Over the years, his garden has grown to at least 2 acres and is full of every tree, shrub or flower you could ever imagine. Each year, there would be so many apples, pears, plums, and raspberries, that he would tell his family and friends to come over and pick as much as they wanted. His garden will live on and will be cherished for years to come.
Lyle is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy and his children Debbie (Charlie) Barnes of Butte, Ken (Janie) McElhenney of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Deb (Larry) Redmond of East Helena, Cindy Griffiths of Las Vegas, NV, Kim (Ron) Hamm of White Sulphur Springs, Koni Griffiths of Santa Rosa, CA, and Karmen (Kevin Millhouse) Griffiths of Helena, 18 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren which includes the newest member, Baylee, born on the same day of his passing, Jan 10, 2012. He is also survived by his brother Alan (Donna) Griffiths of Helena and sister Margo Munson of East Helena, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lyle is preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Florence Griffiths, a son, Kris Griffiths, brother-in-law, Stan Munson, and nephew, Brad Griffiths.
Per Lyle’s request, no services will be held. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Bucky, Kansas,Brandon,Baylee Sierra says
Thank you grandpa for all the wonderful memories
Cari Hutchison says
Uncle Lyle~ I’ll miss your quick wit and contagious laughter most of all. We know you’re safe and pain-free in God’s arms now. We’ll meet again one day in Heaven.
Charlie P Haynes says
Cindy, I am very sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.f
Cindy Backeberg says
Karmen & Family,
I was a great honor to meet the family the other night at the house. My heart and prayers go out to you all in such a sad time. Losing a parent/spouse is very difficult, Judy please know that I’m thinking of you and wishing you all the best – we will do a girls lunch soon! Karmen we love you and your family, please let us know if there is anything we can do!
Cindy Backeberg & Family
Cindy Griffiths says
Dad to say that I will miss you is an understatement. I could not have asked for a better teacher, you tought me to work hard and be straight forward when I speak. I know that you are with GOD and Grandma now and that is such a comfort. Love you Dad.
Claudia Leyva says
My deepest condolences to u Cindy and your family!!
eden bangco says
cindy, sending my deepest sympathy to your whole family may his soul rest in peace
Genevieve Strong says
Cindy, I am very sorry for your loss. My prayers and sympathy to you and your family.
Gilbert, Cherish, Mike, Miranda, Sarah, Andrew, Isabel and Sabastian Sierra says
From our family to yours, thoughts and prayers go out to each one of you.
You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”
Jennifer Irizarry says
May you rest in peace and God Bless your family.
John Tuffli says
My sincere condolences in the loss of Lyle.D
Judy Howard says
I’ve never met you, but I know the wonderful daughter you raised (Cindy). She is as generous and kind hearted as any person I have ever met. She had to learn that from her parents. God bless you and may you rest in peace.
Karmen says
Dad ~ You are a wonderful man who taught me so many things. I will forever hold you in my heart and remember all the good times, the laughs, the talks, or just hanging out watching TV together. I know we will meet again in heaven one day, and I will miss you each and every day until then… I love you, dad!
Karmen
Kathy Archibald says
“To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven.”
Take care my dear friend(Cindy)in the sunshine of tomorrow for your Dad is always with you
Katie Smith says
Koni Griffiths says
Dad,
You’ve shown me love and kept me warm, like a good father does.
You’ve never done me wrong and you were always there for me, like a good father does.
You’ve kept me safe, shown me you care, like a good father does.
You’ve made me scratch your back and do my chores, like a good father does.
You’ve lectured me and gave good advice, like a good father does.
You’ve made me go to school and mow the lawn, like a good father does.
You’ve only wanted what’s best for me, like a good father does.
And with that said, it came to me…you were the PERFECT dad, for me.
“I love you, Dad.”
Lidia and Patrick Free says
Our thoughts are with you and your family as you find your way though this difficult time. We are praying for your healing, with the passage of time. May your pleasant memories sustain and comfort you.
Lori & Benito (Irizarry) says
Please know we are thinking of your family during this difficult time. And although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that your family is very close in every thought and prayer
Mark Moodry says
Sorry to hear of Lyle’s passing. He was one of a kind.
Missy, Hunter, Tymberlynn & Adrianna says
God looked around his garden and He found an empty place. And then He looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you, and lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain, He knew that you would never Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, and the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids, and whispered”Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you. But you didn’t go alone, for part of us went with you, The day God called you home.
We will always love u and forever miss u.
olga rascon says
Cindy I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing,I pray that the lord will comfort and console you in your loss.I know the feeling well. Love you and God Bless you and your family
Olga
SANDY COFFMAN says
My heart goes uot to you and your family my friend. will say prayers for your comfort. Lots of love and hugs, sandy
Sonny Sierra says
“My deepest sympathy to you at this time of sorrow. Lyle is in God’s care now and what better care could we ever ask for him? I pray for your comfort in the days ahead. God bless you and keep you in His tender care and love for all eternity.”
The Irizarry's Sister, Efrain and Stephanie says
Cindy our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. May God carry through this diffcult time.
For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
-1 Thessalonians4