Dayton Daniel Griffey

Dayton Daniel Griffey passed away in Bloomington, IN on June 2, 2023, where he had lived for the past thirty-five years. Dayton was born September 29, 1956, in Kansas City, MO. He was the youngest of eight children, of the late Margaret Catherine (nee Harrington) and James Irwin Griffey. In addition to his parents, Dayton was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Michael Dyess, brother Timothy, brother-in-laws Davy Lee, Michael Grandgeorge and cousins Daniel Kenzie, Joseph Harrington and Jack Harrington. He is survived by his brother James I. (Pat Chu) Griffey, his sisters, Mary Regis Griffey, Mary Teresa Grandgeorge, Mary Margaret Oakford and Mary Ann Lee. Nieces and nephews, Debby (Brad Smith) Dyess, David (Melissa) Dyess, Scott (Lee Ann) Dyess, Kelly (Steph) Hornsby-Schneider, Catherine (Ken) Gabrys, Michael (Jesse) Maassel, Casey (Trevor) Tom, John Oakford, Margaret (Philip) Dhom, Patrick (Jason Rahlan) Oakford, and Kevin Lee. Great-nieces and nephews, Molly (Jared) Vanderleest, Noah Carter, Alexander Dyess, Brianne Gabrys, Jo Tom, Charlie and Griffey Dhom. And, great-great nephew Sawyer VanderLeest. Dayton is also survived by first cousins, Mary Clare Honeycutt, Catherine LaPlante, Patrick Kenzie, William Kenzie and Sarah Harrington. Dayton was reared in Keokuk, Iowa. He graduated from St. Vincent Grammar School and Cardinal Stritch High School, where he received an excellent education from the Daughters of Charity. As a young boy, Dayton was a sports enthusiast. Daily, he would scour the Des Moines Register’s sports page, especially during baseball season. He was a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. Dayton graduated from Indiana University with two degrees, in mathematics and music. He was also a piano tuner, and would tune the pianos for the Department of Music at the University. Dayton loved his family dearly, and made great effort to attend family gatherings and celebrations. He enjoyed sharing food and banter at the table. Dayton lived his Irish heritage as family historian, passing down family stories to his nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held on September 16th, at All Saints Church, Keokuk, Iowa at 10:30 am. Condolence memorials may be made to a library of your choice.  

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