Donnie Herman Griswold, 74, of Queen City, Missouri, took The final step of his Journey through this life and stepped into the portal of Heaven on December 31, 2020 at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
The son of Frank Herman and Eunice Edna (Wilson) Griswold, he was born September 19, 1946 in Brashear, Missouri. On April 21, 1967 Donnie married Patricia Hooker and to this union two sons were born, Stephen and Stuart Griswold. On September 19, 1976 he married Bea Wheeler Snowbarger and they raised one son, Allen Snowbarger . On May 3, 1997, Donnie was married to Virginia Aldridge and they raised one son Kaydyn Keith Aldridge.
Donnie is survived by his wife Virginia of the home; four sons, Stephen (Lynette) Griswold of Liberty, MO, Stuart Griswold of Kansas City, MO, Allen (Tracy) Snowbarger of Franklin, OH, and Kaydyn Aldridge of the home; one brother, Jack Dee (Bob) Griswold of Kansas City, MO; four sisters, Louise Eichemier and Betty Jones both of Kirksville, MO, Darlene (Leroy) Jackson of Moberly, MO, and Leona Tharp of Rolla, MO; brother-in-law, Jim Pope of Owasso, OK; four grandchildren, Emily and Ethan Griswold of Kansas City, MO, and Riley and Tyler Snowbarger of Franklin, OH; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as his extended family the Wheeler’s.
Donnie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Bea; one sister, Bonnie Pope; three brothers, Thomas Levi and wife Betty Lou, Bobby Gene and wife Edith, and Billie Dean and wife Louise; three brothers-in-law, Elgin Eichemier, Donald Jones, and Dave Tharp.
Donnie was born in Brashear on a farm and moved to Kirksville in 1948. He attended Willard Elementary, Kirksville Jr. High School where he graduated with the Class of 1964. He served his country proudly in the United States Army from 1/25/65 to 1/24/71 during the Vietnam War where he received the National Defense Service Medal, Expert Rifle, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Donnie retired after a number of years of being self employed as a drywall contractor who taught some of his nephews the trade. He finished many homes in Kirksville working with Ron James.
Donnie loved helping others but never wanted to be in the spotlight. You never saw Donnie without a cup of coffee in his hand and he was known as a perfectionist in everything he did. He took pride in being a foster parent for seven years.
Public visitation will be held Tuesday, January 5, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Smith and Pastor Ralph Wheeler officiating. Interment with military honors will follow the service at Coffey Cemetery, Downing, Missouri.
Pallbearers will be Donnie’s baseball team that he coached from pee-wee up: Brian Anderson, Brandon Atkinson, Brian Humphrey, Chris Sevits, Matt Johns, Mike Johns, Eddie Berry, and Doug Robinson. Honorary pallbearers will be Brent West, Kevin Terry, Kevin Douglas, and Josh Wesley.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Donnie may be made to the Schuyler County Cancer Relief Fund and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.
A mask mandated visitation and funeral are required, but for those who do not wish to attend the funeral, feel free to join the family at the graveside service at Coffey Cemetery.