Obituary of Helen M. Griffis

Mrs. Helen M. Griffis, age 90 of Mayfield, died Monday, June 16, 2008 following a long illness. She was born March 20, 1918 in Riceville Town of Mayfield, the daughter of the late Ivan and Florence VanAvery Wemple. A graduate of Gloversville High School, Helen also attended the former Gloversville Business School. She was employed as a bookkeeper for 24 years at Alvord Glove Company and Alvord's House of Leather in Mayfiled. A homemaker for many years, she also was secretary for the Clerk of The Works when the Mayfield High School was built. Mrs. Griffis is survived by her husband DeWitt B. Griffis of Mayfield, whom she married on May 30, 1987. She is also survived by a daughter: Beth A. Potter Larry of Gloversville; a son: William L. Barker Karen of Leavenworth, Kansas; a stepdaughter: Charlotte Hoover Kenneth of Gloversville; two sisters: Mildred Ellithorpe of Mayfield and Ruth Boyle of Florida; seven grandchildren: Cherise Anadio, Kate Cykoff, Charles Potter, Sara Perault, Timothy Barker, DeWitt Hoover and Grace Paster; eight great-grandchildren; a cousin: Pauline Bell of Mayfield; several nieces and nephews. Her first husband, George W. Barker, whom she married on March 23, 1940, died on October 9, 1980. She was also preceded in death by a brother: Richard Wemple; and a sister: June Wadsworth. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 19th at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with The Rev. Bonnie Orth officiating. Interment will take place at Union Rural Cemetery, Mayfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 85 Watervliet Ave; Albany, NY 12206-2083.