Stephen E. Griffith

Stephen E. Griffith peacefully passed away on April 4, 2025. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 11, 1947, to the late Lloyd Eddie and Audrey Maxine (Collins) Griffith, but had lived in The Villages, Florida for the past many years. He loved and bragged about The Villages, where he regularly golfed, socialized with neighbors and enjoyed various social clubs. Steve was a graduate of Decatur Central High School in 1965.

Steve loved American history, antiques, classic hot rod cars, motor sports, and the Indianapolis Colts. He was a devoted husband, loving father and proud grandfather. And he was admired and liked by everyone who had the opportunity to meet him.

To say he was a loving and devoted husband is to understate his commitment to his wife of 59 years, whom he affectionately called "Sallie." Steve embodied the maxim that love is patient and kind. He would have gone to the ends of earth and back for his “Sallie,” to whom he was dedicated for over 61 years since they started their courtship as high school sweethearts.

Steve was really good at two things. One, he was great at telling you the same story many times over, each time with the same level of enthusiasm as if he was telling the story for the very first time. And secondly, he was really good at designing and building residential structures. Steve began his professional career as a draftsman and "take-off" guy at Wright-Bachman and quickly was promoted, eventually serving as the Vice President of the truss and panel division. He had studied architecture at Purdue University at Indianapolis, but had gained a lifetime of experience building houses with his favorite uncle Chet. He later served as a salesman for several lumber and truss companies, and consistently outperformed his peers. He was a wealth of knowledge, and his professional opinions and advice were highly valued and often-sought by builders across the Mid-West. His unmatched knowledge of residential building design is the stuff of legend.

He was a perfectionist, highly organized, prompt, precise and professional; and seemingly arrived five minutes early for every meeting, party, occasion or event he attended. His high standards for performance were expected of and transposed to his three sons, of whom he was immensely proud. Yet, he was rarely judgmental and always supportive. Everywhere he went, he was liked, respected and appreciated.

He was, in just a few words, a really good guy.

Steve is survived by his wife of 59 years, Virginia “Jenny,” with whom he had three sons, Matthew (Tiffany Vivo), David, deceased (Michelle) and Kyle (Kate) and seven grandchildren, Madeline, Mary and Blake; Ben and Lydia; and Luke and Jane. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his son, David, his sister, Sandra, and his brother, Joe.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, 5:00pm-8:00pm and Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 10:30am-11:30am at Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township with the Funeral Service Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 11:30am. Stephen will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens in Greenwood, Indiana. To sign his online guest registry and share your memories and stories with his family please go to www.flannerbuchanan.com