Burl Griffith (74) of Dieterich

Burl Wayne Griffith, age 74, of Dieterich, Illinois, “God’s Country” passed away at 6:19 AM – Sunday, March 31, 2024, at Harlingen Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM – Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Parish Center, 303 East Section Street, Dieterich, Illinois. The burial will be in the Dieterich Village Cemetery south of Dieterich, Illinois, with Masonic rites at 11:45 AM at the graveside. Visitation will be held 4:00 to 7:00 PM – Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the parish center. In loving memory of Burl, memorials may be made to the Griffith Family, to establish a scholarship with the Dieterich School. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Dieterich, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed, and condolences left by clicking here.

Burl was born on January 3, 1950, in Effingham, Illinois, the son of Glen Dale and Lorene (Hardin) Griffith. He was united in marriage to Audrey Weiffenbach on November 9, 1974, at the First Christian Church in Effingham, Illinois. To this union, three children were born: Trent Wayne, Ty, and Tori Lorene. Burl was an active member of his community. He had previously served as a Deacon in The First Christian Church at Dieterich, a Precinct Committeeman for his district for several years, and a Dieterich school board member. Burl helped secure the land to build a preschool for the district and was on the board when the school district completed a large remodel. As a volunteer firefighter, he would often answer calls overnight and then continue to go to work the next day. Burl served as Mayor of Dieterich for two terms. He encouraged new businesses to come to Dieterich and helped establish North Pointe, a new subdivision that was affordable for people with growing families. Burl was a transportation engineer at Ameren/CIPS in Newton, Illinois. He was a steward for the local 702 union for many years. Burl was a member of the Winterrowd Masonic Lodge #664 in Dieterich and was a Shriner with Ainad Temple. Burl was one of a kind and he never met a stranger. He would do anything for those in need and not want any credit. A sports fan all his life, Burl was a collegiate/scholarship athlete at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. It was not uncommon for a pick-up basketball game to be played every Saturday morning with the local talent to assist them in getting ready for the upcoming season. Burl continued the legacy of his late mother by helping form and running the Dieterich Park District while coaching little league. He encouraged and instilled civic responsibilities in his children. He also made it a family project to assist with the building and maintenance of the Dieterich Park District and Veterans Memorial.

Burl is survived by: Wife of 49 years – Audrey Griffith; Son - Ty (Bri) Griffith and their daughters Charlotte and Sutton of Effingham, Illinois; Daughter - Tori (Jeff) Amburn and their son Alexander of Swansea, Illinois; Sister - Marsha (Hallie) Beals of Stilesville, Indiana; Brother-in-law - Bud Klein (wife Fran) of Florida; Sister-in-law - Cleone Bloemker of Effingham, Illinois; Brother-in-law - John F. (Cathy) Weiffenbach of Effingham, Illinois; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Burl was preceded in death by his parents, son Trent Wayne Griffith, sister Betty Dale Klein, brother-in-law Rocky Bloemker, and a nephew Brandon Weiffenbach.