Roger Griner

1938 - 2025

Roger Lee Griner, 87, of Frankfort, entered eternal life on October 6, 2025. He was born August 1, 1938, in Cadillac, the son of Bernard Warren and Beth Irene (White) Griner.
Roger's ancestors came to Pomona, Michigan from Pennsylvania by covered wagon in 1864. Shortly after his birth the family moved to a farm in Pomona where his father and mother founded Bernie Griner Refrigeration, Sales and Service which sold commercial refrigeration equipment to stores, markets, and fish hatcheries. Roger graduated from Copemish High School where he met his future wife Lavonne "Vonnie". Roger also graduated from Ferris University in 1958 with a certificate in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration and was one of their top track athletes. In 1972 he was awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree from Ferris State University.
Roger was engaged in his community serving first as a Trustee for Green Lake Township, then a County Commissioner for Grand Traverse County, followed by serving as both a Road Commissioner and County Commissioner in Benzie County. During his nearly 40 years of service he received many awards. Roger along with his wife "Vonnie" launched and operated a number of Interlochen businesses, including Fun Country, Griner's Food Market, Interlochen Shopping Plaza, EZ Storage, and West Side Condos. He also took time out each spring to produce maple syrup at the Griner Family Sugar Bush in Pomona.
Roger received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion, and Marriage at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Copemish. He was a founding member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, in Grawn, and a member of St. Ann Catholic Church, in Frankfort, at the time of his death.
Roger loved to "go fast". His early adventures of jumping the railroad tracks in Pomona along with an early trip on a Ski-Doo at the Betsie River home of his parents led to a mid-life adventure of snowmobile racing every weekend. Mom and Dad would pick up the kids at school with their 24 ft Champion Motor Home and 20 foot panel trailer on the start of their journey to some local Michigan town for the weekly snowmobile race. A kettle of bean soup served as the main fare for the weekend trip.
In the late 1970's he served as a representative for the Stroh's Brewery, ensuring doughnuts were available at the early morning drivers meetings and many cans of Stroh's at the end of the event. After the end of the snowmobile racing era he became involved in Stock Car Racing at M-113 Raceway and Merritt Speedway. Roger also loved the railroad and car ferries – in particular the Ann Arbor fleet. One of his adventures involved moving the aft cabin off the Ann Arbor No. 5 Car Ferry from the salvage yard in Manistee to the family property on Long Lake near Traverse City. He led a number of Old Railroad Grade Tours in the Spring where participants could board a bus and visit historical railroad sites in the area.
On November 26, 1960, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, in Copemish, Roger married Lavonne Marie Milliron who preceded him in death on April 25, 2013.
He is survived by his children, Linda (George) Bower Jr. of Lake Ann, Mark (Ruth) Griner of Lake Ann, and Scott (Jennifer) Griner of Copemish; his grandchildren, Alexandria Bower-Nelson (Matt Nelson) of Kewadin, Dr. Kortney Bower of South Bend, Indiana, and Boyd Griner of Lake Ann; his great-grandchildren, twins Zoey Elizabeth and James Morange Nelson, his sister, Barbra (James) Mikowski of Traverse City, his special companion Jean Bowers of Beulah and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 13, 2025, at St. Raphael Catholic Church, in Copemish, with the Rev. Bradley Nursey celebrant. Interment will follow in the Cleon Township Cemetery in Copemish. A Pancake Breakfast celebrating Roger's life will follow after the interment at an event tent pitched on the former oil well site, on the top of the hill at the Griner Family Sugar Bush, 21742 Read Road, Copemish, Michigan. Visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at the Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, where the Rosary will be prayed at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass at the church on Monday.
During the last few years of his journey here on earth, Roger was fortunate to have many wonderful individuals who went above and beyond their duties to provide outstanding care for him. The family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Homesteader in Benzonia and Hospice of Michigan for their care of Roger during his end of life.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the S.S. City of Milwaukee, PO Box 394, Manistee, MI 49660, the Railroad Historical Society of Northern Michigan, PO Box 1845 Traverse City, MI 49685 or a charity of your choice.
The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements.
www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com.