Leland E. Griner

It is with the sadness of loss and the peace of knowing the love of a wonderful man that Sharon, David, and Todd announce the passing of our husband and father, Lee after he battled influenza then pneumonia with the same optimism, gratitude, and encouragement he demonstrated every day of his life. Lee was born on December 31, 1938, to Everett and Nina Rheingans Griner on their farm near Dumont, Iowa. His K-12 was a one-room school house and Dumont High School and Lee enjoyed the gift of lifelong friendship with those classmates. Lee Griner and Sharon Claussen met while studying at the University of Northern Iowa where he earned his Master's Degree. They married in 1963. During his early career, Lee taught in Waterloo, Iowa before moving to Freeport, Illinois in 1966. Lee served with dedication contributing to the education of the youth of Freeport for the future of America as a business education teacher at Freeport High School until his retirement in 1993. Over the years, in both Freeport and while wintering in Mesa, Arizona, Lee encountered adults, who greeted him warmly and shared memories of inspiration and kindheartedness experienced as his student. Lee's playful approach to life uplifted spirits and attracted lasting friendships where laughter was frequent and easy. Joining Lee's family in loss are two church families, friends, and neighbors. Lee was a longstanding member of the Freeport Church of Christ and for the past seventeen years worshiped at Sun Valley Church of Christ in Mesa, Arizona during winters. Thank you to both church families for their friendship and caring. Lee regularly commented on the good fortune of having wonderful next door neighbors, from appreciating the comfort of a single light seen on a winter night the next farm over, to our long-time neighbors on Laurel Street and during recent times, in Mesa. Lee embodied a love of nature, dogs, and landscaping, often enjoyed with hands in the dirt or hands on the wheel of a motorcycle or convertible. He loved campfires and a game of cards. Lee's wonderment of birds was contagious and his feeding of them so consistent. Indeed migratory patterns emerged to get to his reliable bird feeder. During a moment of joy with a pet or a project in the natural environment, he would say, "this is a gift from God." Never tempted to fly back and forth to Arizona, Lee said he appreciated the natural beauty of every state and the adventure of traveling on the road with Sharon. Lee Griner brought to life a heart for God and a heart for all people. He loved reading the Bible, specifically, the book of Proverbs while sitting under a tree. His greatest accomplishments are in the lives he touched, the people he encouraged, and the joy of laughter, friendship, and family. Surviving: his wife Sharon Griner, two sons David Griner of Dallas, Texas and Todd Griner, of Los Angeles, California, Daughter-in-Law Tracey Griner, and Grandson Zachary Griner in addition to the people he bonded to that comprised an extended family. Preceding him in death were his parents of Dumont, Iowa. The family is honoring Lee's wishes not to have a funeral or memorial service and his life can be honored by donating to the following places: Freeport Church of Christ 1635 S. Carroll Ave. Freeport, IL 61032 Phone: 815-235-1008 Email: freeportchurch@yahoo.com Freeport Park District 1122 S. Burchard Ave. PO Box 417 Freeport, IL 61032 Phone: 815-235-6114 Fax: 815-233-9210 Email: contact@freeportparkdistrict.org