Anthony "Tony" Griffith (69) of Newton

Anthony Fletcher “Tony” Griffith, age 69, passed away at 6:11 PM Thursday June 4, 2020, at St. Louis University Hospital in St.Louis, Missouri, from complications of cancer.

Visitation will be held 3:00-6:00 PM Saturday, July 11 at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Following the visitation, a celebration of life service will be held. In loving memory of Tony, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and can be mailed to the Griffith Family, PO Box 183, Newton, Illinois 62448. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left by clicking here. 

Anthony Fletcher “Tony” was born on January 18, 1951, the son of Rowe Verne and Carolee (Arnold) Griffith. He was raised in Jasper County, attended Newton Grade School, Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois, 1965-67, and graduated from Newton Community High School with the class of 1969. Tony joined the United States Air Force and served from 1970 to 1975 as a helicopter mechanic during Vietnam. Tony was proud to have served our great nation and took pride in being an American. At the age of 23, Tony met a young truck driver at the Ozark Music Festival that would shape his future. After making one trip out West for his new friend, Bob Klaudt, Tony was instantly hooked on the moving industry. He bought a truck and leased on with Bekins Van Lines. In 1983, Tony along with his father, his Uncle Jack, and friend Ron Dewine founded HOPE 4 Trucking which later became known as Griffith Trucking/Broadway Express. From that time, he also established Heartland Towing, Heartland Classics in 1987, Heartland Ag Center John Deere dealer, and eventually acquired the Heartland Peterbilt dealership in 1994. Tony married Roberta Lea “Bobbi” Daddono on October 12, 1992, and she preceded him in death on March 14, 2013. Tony was proud to be a Jasper County resident and was always willing to give back to the community he loved. Over the last 30 years he served on the Board of Directors for Peoples State Bank of Newton. He was one of the founders of Eagle Country Water Works, and help establish the Jasper CEO program. Tony was a member of the Newton Masonic Lodge #216. Outside of the community he was an avid supporter for The Wounded Warrior Project, Vietnam Veterans, ASPCA, NRA, and many other charitable organizations that he held in high regard. Tony passions included collecting classic cars, guitars, and riding motorcycles. He enjoyed antique shopping, boating, grilling out, and spending time with fiancé Diana and their two dogs, Brody and Annie, on the deck of their home in Branson. Tony enjoyed time with his family, whether it was canoeing, tubing, Branson shows, train rides, playing "hand and foot" card game or catch-phrase. Tony always wanted to retire in Branson due to many summers spent there with his grandparents.

Tony is survived by: fiancé Diana Nuxoll of Newton, Illinois; sisters Debbie Griffith of Bristol, Connecticut; and Cindy (Mike) Goebel of Branson, Missouri; niece Michele (Nick) Seabaugh of Vandalia, Illinois; nephew Steve (Heather) Goebel of Yorkville, Illinois. Great nephews Ryan & Justin Goebel and Kyle Seabaugh and great nieces Lexi Seabaugh and Taylor Goebel. Extended family Sara Dickens, Lynn Webb, Angie Byers, and Casey Lee and their children along with many other close friends, relatives and his two dogs Brody and Annie. Tony also leaves behind his many longtime employees whom he considered family.

Tony was preceded in death by parents, wife, grandparents Laurence F. and Chlora Arnold and Jack and Eva Griffith.