COCHRANTON — Harold Wayne Griffin, 87, of 196 N. Franklin St., Cochranton, and a former resident of Dania, Fla., died at his residence in Cochranton on Tuesday, May 6, 2008.

He was born in Franklin, a son of Mayme Ethel Cotterman Griffin and Elbe Thomas Griffin. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald E. (Jake) Griffin; a sister-in-law, Rachel Steinbrenner Griffin; and a niece, Kathleen A. New.

On May 28, 1944, he married Betty Stoner of Scottdale. She survives along with two daughters, Linda J. Griffin of Cochranton and Leslie J. Griffin of Jamesville, N.Y. Others include a nephew, Thomas C. Griffin and his wife, Judith, of Meadville; a close friend, Barry Williams of Meadville; special cousins, Peggy and Lewis Schaff of Cochranton, Mary Etta Wright of Franklin and Helen Kidd of Jackson, Mich.; other cousins, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Harold was a 1938 graduate of Cochranton High School and a 1942 graduate of Grove City College, and did graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh. Harold was a member of Cochranton Presbyterian Church and Cochranton Volunteer Fire Department, and served several terms as an assistant auditor of Cochranton Borough. He was also chairman for the Cochranton Centennial celebration.

Upon graduation from college, he was employed as a cost accountant at Carnegie Steel Corp. at the Irwin Works in Pittsburgh. A veteran of World War II, he enlisted in 1943 in the U.S. Officer Naval Training Corps at Great Lakes, Ill., and served as a lieutenant second grade in the Atlantic and Pacific frontiers.

In June 1946, he joined his father and brother as business manager of the Griffin and Cotterman Chrysler dealership in Cochranton. When the firm moved to Meadville, he became vice president, part-owner and business manager of the Griffin Motors Co. and Griffin Dodge until his retirement in 1983.

He was a life member of Masonic Lodge 408 of Meadville, Solomon Royal Arch Chapter, Zem Zem Shrine of Erie and Crawford County Shrine Club, Kismet Grotto, New Castle Consistory.

There are no calling hours. A private service for immediate family members and friends will be conducted at Dickson Family Funeral Home in Cochranton on Friday at 1:30 p.m., with the Rev. Harry Boal officiating.

Burial will be in Cochranton Cemetery with no graveside ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cochranton Presbyterian Church, Smith Street, Cochranton, Pa. 16314; VNA, 149 N. Main St., Meadville, Pa. 16335; Hospice of Crawford County, 446 Pine St., Meadville, Pa. 16335; Grove City Alumni Association, class of 1942, Grove City, Pa. 16I27; or the University of Pittsburgh Panther Club in care of the Panthers Football Team, PO Box 7436, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, in care of H.W. Griffin. Hail to Pitt!