Michael Dale Griffin of Bourbon, Missouri was born on Jan. 15, 1982 in Coos Bay, Oregon to Michael Griffin and Jenifer Whitehead and passed away Friday, July 3, 2026 at the age of 44 years.
He spent his childhood between Bourbon and Potosi and graduated from Potosi High School with the Class of 2001. He attended Ranken Technical College. Over the years, he worked for Jim's Heating & Cooling, Paramount and Silgan before starting his own business, Burning Ice Heating & Cooling.
In December 2022, Michael met Tabitha and they spent countless hours riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, spending time at the river, kayaking, barbecuing and simply enjoying the outdoors.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking and spending the day at the river. During his teenage years, he was a member of the Crawford County Coon Hunters Association and spent many nights running his hounds alongside fellow coon hunters. He inherited a love of sailing from his grandfather, Jim Whitehead. One of Michael's favorite motorcycle trips was riding the Tail of the Dragon.
He loved gardening, especially ghost peppers and habaneros, along with sunflowers. He made homemade biscuits and gravy and enjoyed grilling steaks and burgers.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim Whitehead and Clyde and Geraldine Griffin; great grandparents, Eurskin and Irene Nettle and Charles and Ruby Whitehead; and pups, Jake and DOG.
He is survived by his daughter, Salena Griffin of Bourbon, Missouri; parents, Michael Griffin and wife Sharon of Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Jenifer Whitehead and fiancé Randy Nolie of Bourbon, Missouri; significant other, Tabitha Lopez of Bourbon, Missouri; sister, Krystal Meyer and husband Steven of Austin, Texas; niece, Abigail Meyer of Austin, Texas; nephew, Isaac Meyer of Austin, Texas; grandmother, Ludena Whitehead of Bourbon, Missouri; special friends, Cody, Taco, Billy, Johnny, Josh and CJ; other relatives and friends.
Visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri with Pastor Harold Harrison officiating.
Arrangements under the direction of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan, Missouri.
