Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory

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(262) 552-9000

Mario "Vell" Lovell Griffin

Jul 15, 1972 – Jul 30, 2018

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.

Guestbook Entries

  1. Robert Hicks and Family (Bub) says

    Sending Our Condolences To The Griffin Family………..Have No Fear,Mario'”s In God’s Hands……Fear And God Don’t Occupy The Same Space.

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Testimonials

The Munoz Family

My siblings and I recently had the unfortunate experience of having to plan a funeral for our beloved mother – Juana Munoz. During this difficult time, we were fortunate enough to come across a funeral home that truly went above and beyond what was expected. Their attention to detail and dedication to ensuring our comfort and safety throughout the entire process was truly remarkable. From the moment we stepped foot into the funeral home, we were greeted with warmth and compassion. The staff members, but specifically Mark was incredibly understanding and empathetic, making us feel at ease during such a challenging time. Mark took the time to listen to our needs and wishes, and his guidance and support were invaluable. One aspect that truly stood out was Mark’s meticulous attention to detail. He paid close attention to every aspect of the funeral arrangements, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. From the floral arrangements to the music selection, every detail was carefully considered and executed flawlessly. Mark even noticed that the temperature in the room was getting warm and promptly adjusted it to ensure our comfort. What impressed me the most was their commitment to our safety. Mark and his team took every precaution to ensure that our family and guests were protected throughout the entire process. From the funeral home to the cemetery, Mark made sure that all safety measures were in place, including providing hand sanitizers, and even arranging for additional staff members to assist with crowd control. Furthermore, Mark’s professionalism and organization was evident in every aspect of the funeral service. He coordinated seamlessly with the cemetery staff, ensuring a smooth transition from the funeral home to the final resting place. Their attention to detail and commitment to excellence truly made a difference in our overall experience. In addition to their exceptional service, the funeral home also provided us with resources and support beyond the funeral itself. They offered grief counseling services and connected us with local support groups, which proved to be invaluable during our grieving process. Overall, we cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Mark, and broader, Draeger Langendorf team. Their attention to detail, commitment to our safety, and genuine compassion made a difficult time a little more bearable. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of funeral arrangements, as they truly go above and beyond to ensure that every detail is taken care of and that families are supported throughout . the entire process. – Epifanio and The Munoz Family

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Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home
4600 County Line Road
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
(262) 552-9000

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