Isaac R Griffith

Isaac (Ike) R. Griffith, 76, of Glenside, PA, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on January 3, 2024. Born on August 31, 1947 in Many, Louisiana, he was the eldest child of Francis (Shane) and Alice (nee Cook) Griffith. When he was five years old, his family moved to Philadelphia, and later to Roslyn.
Ike served in the Navy from 1967-1971 as an electronics technician on the Great Sitkin, stationed in Vietnam, the Mediterranean Sea, and Cuba. After being discharged, he went on to earn a BA in Information Systems. He worked for several companies, including Bethlehem Steel, and he did programming by contract which took him to Kuwait. He worked as a project and programming manager, designer, and analyzer at SPS in Glenside from 1997 until his first retirement in 2016, after which he worked as a contractor until his second retirement in February 2020.
In 1980, Ike married Marion Marple, and they shared a loving 19 years together until the Lord called Marion home in 1999. During those years they enjoyed vacations in Ocean City, caring for several cats, and participating in Bible study groups at Chelten Church in Dresher, PA.
In 2001, Ike met and married Ruth A. Piatnochka, and they shared a loving 23 Christmases together. During those years they enjoyed traveling, visiting 31 states in the contiguous United States, and driving the periphery of the Gulf of Mexico from Fort Myers, Florida to Galveston, Texas. They also drove across several countries in Europe.
Their daughter Oksana has been the joy of their lives, and as she was growing up, she and Ike perfected their verbal wordplay, much to Ruth's amusement. Father and daughter worked on many creative projects together, competed with each other in board games, and shared an affinity for history, books, and funny videos. Oksana's marriage to Ian C. Miller brought another dimension of liveliness to the family dynamic.
Ike's hobbies included home construction projects, gardening, cooking sous vide, and researching investment strategies. He started each day praying with Ruth for family, friends, the nation, and the world's hotspots. He was a part of Chelten, Church of Hope for 71 years, and he volunteered for many ministries throughout his life, including youth leader, church bus driver, small group leader, deacon, and member of the Missions Committee.
Ike's spirit has been freed from his paralyzed body, crippled by the ravages of ALS. Even in the hardest moments of dealing with this disease, Ike never wavered from his trust in God's goodness and promises. His eyes twinkled when his voice could not laugh, especially when he saw his daughter walk into the room. Daily he and Ruth found blessings to be grateful for.
Ike was predeceased by his parents, his sister Karen McKale, and first wife Marion. He is survived by his wife Ruth, daughter Oksana Miller (Ian), brother Fred Griffith (Ingrid), loving brothers- and sisters-in law, and many nieces and nephews
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Chelten's missions program, a ministry he felt strongly about.