Mario "Vell" Lovell Griffin

Service Details

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018

VISITATION: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

HOMEGOING SERVICE: 11:00 a.m.

WAYMAN AME CHURCH (424 N. MEMORIAL DRIVE RACINE, WI 53403)

INTERMENT: GRACELAND CEMETERY 

Mario (Vell) Lovell Griffin, age 46, after battling with a variety of cancers for the majority of his life, Mario went home to be with his Lord and Heavenly Father on July 30, 2018 at 2:35am.

Mario graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1991. He worked at Augsburg College in MN for 15 years as a prep chef. Mario attended the Rise Adult Day program at The Courage Center in MN and earned his black belt in karate. He was a member of Wayman A.M.E. Church in Minneapolis, MN and he was the king of the Starlighters O.E.S. Badger Chapter #5.

Throughout all of his illnesses, Mario never complained. He always said, “I’m fine, I’m fine.” He also never let his illnesses prevent him from achieving his many goals in life. He was always giving and helping others in his soft, loving way. His favorite pastime was viewing and attending wrestling events with his Uncle Melvin.

He will be deeply missed by his loving mother Cheryl Griffin, (teetee’s) Tricia, Jackie (Benny), Penny, Tonya, Beverly, and Cherry, (uncles) William, Melvin, Bobby (Darlene), Clifford, Dennis (Trina), and Michael, Freddie Coldtrain (great-uncle), Jeremiah and Janae Strickland, Laila, Jaida, and Sahni Hampton (honorary nephew and nieces), LaShawnda Hampton (special cousin), Lonnie McGee (special friend), Crystal Petty (half-sister), numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Preceded in death by his father Eddie Gene McGloren, his partner Ericka Riley, Tony Williams (step-father), Mrs. Ressie (Elijah) Brewer (great-great-auntie), Mamie Castor (great-grandma), Ethel (Clifford) Griffin (grandparents), William Griffin (Carrie) (grandparents), John B. Kittrell (special great-uncle), Charles Coldtrain (great uncle), Jamarion Griffin (nephew), William K. Griffin Jr. (cousin), Dorothy McGloren (auntie), and Maurice Hadley (half brother).

The visitation will be held Friday, August 10, 2018, 10:00-11:00 AM at Wayman A.M.E. Church, 424 N. Memorial Drive, Racine, WI 53404 (262) 632-1650.  The funeral service will be held immediately following at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Graceland Cemetery, 1147 West Blvd., Racine, WI 53405. The repast will immediately follow the interment.

Flowers and memorial donations can be sent to Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home, 4600 County Line Rd, Mt. Pleasant, WI 53403

Special thanks to Pastor Richard Coleman and all members at Wayman A.M.E. Church in Minneapolis, MN; Pastor Ernest Nia and all members at Wayman A.M.E. Church in Racine, WI; North Memorial Hospice in Minneapolis, MN; Brian Langendorf and Draeger-Langendorf.  A very special thanks to Cherry and Carrie Griffin in helping to fulfull Mario’s last wishes to be buried beside his great-great grandmother Mamie; Linda & Greg Coleman; Beverly Griffin; Zina Kittrell and Patricia Griffin for being there with Mario and Cheryl in his last days.