Obituaries

A celebration of life service for Janice B. Griffin (nee Bartells) will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Elburn, Illinois, on Thursday, April 3 at 10:30 a.m. The church is located at the intersection of Route 38 and La Fox Road. Mrs. Griffin went to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven on March 23.

She was born in Beloit, Wisconsin, on September 4, 1927, to Olga and Elwin Bartells. She attended Beloit High School and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin in 1950 with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. She attended Northern Illinois University for post-graduate work.

Mrs. Griffin was an accomplished artist and dedicated teacher in the St. Charles, Illinois, School District for nearly three decades. She was the Elementary Art Supervisor from 1955 to 1978 and then was a fourth grade teacher at Wasco Elementary School from 1979 to 1982. She also taught art classes for the St. Charles Park District from 1970 to 1972. During her career, she inspired thousands of students.

Mrs. Griffin was actively involved in public service in St. Charles, serving as City Clerk from 1963 to 1971 and as the city’s first Alderwoman for the 2^nd Ward from 1972 to 1974.

She also served on the School Board for Valley Lutheran High School in St. Charles from 1975 to 1977 and taught Sunday School at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Charles from 1965 to 1970.

Mrs. Griffin had a strong, life-long faith in God, which she shared with her husband Bruce Griffin and her family and friends. She was an active member and volunteer at St. Mark’s from 1960 to 1982 and at Lutheran churches in Thompson Township, Illinois, from 1982 to 1986 and New Port Richey, Florida, from 1987 to 2004. She then became a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church from 2005 to 2025.

Mrs. Griffin and husband Bruce had a memorable retirement at Apple Canyon Lake in Thompson Township from 1982 to 1986 and then in New Port Richey from 1982 to 2002, where they enjoyed gardening, dancing, golf, travel, and entertaining.

Upon Bruce’s passing in 2002, she returned to her beloved Fox River Valley to be close to and spend time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Griffin was a wonderful wife and mother. She leaves a legacy of faith, love of family and friends, and generosity to the many lives she touched during her lifetime!

She is survived by her children, W. Randall (Karen) Griffin of Winfield, Illinois; John (Sherry) Griffin of Hampshire, Illinois; Brian (Patty) Griffin of St. Charles, Illinois; and Nancy White of Tulsa, Oklahoma; as well as 14 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.

Mrs. Griffin was preceded in death by her husband Bruce; her parents; two sisters, Helen Derleth and Ruth Bartells; and two children, Bruce Griffin Jr., and Judy Sharp.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print