Edwin David

Griffin

Dr. Edwin David "Dave" Griffin passed away peacefully on November 6,

2026 in Lincolnwood, Illinois at the age of 98, in the presence of loving

family members. Dave moved to Lincolnwood after residing for 20 years in

Kiawah Island, South Carolina, where he had retired with his wife, Elaine.

Prior to that, Dave and Elaine were long-time residents of Joliet, Illinois

where they raised their five children.

Dave is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Pinter; brothers Peter, Andrew and

Tim Griffin; children Katherine Griffin, David (Ardath) Griffin, Amy Griffin,

Nancy (Tim) Groch and Mark (Molly) Griffin; grandchildren Evan (Alice

Chen) Shulman, Elise Shulman, Therese Griffin, Colin (Sophia) Griffin,

Avery Griffin, Aaron Griffin, Eric Groch, Andrew (Christina) Griffin, Kate

Griffin (fiancé Nick Rossiter), Ryan Groch and Jackson Griffin; and, great

grandchildren Madison and Maximillian. He is preceded in death by his

wife, Elaine Bach Griffin, brothers Jim and John; beloved brothers-in-law,

Jack Pinter and Carl "Bud" Bach; and dear sister-in-law, Atsuko.

Dave was born on December 22, 1927 in East St. Louis, Illinois to Edwin

and Margaret (Driscoll) Griffin. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to

Evanston, Illinois, where Dave attended St. Mary’s School and Evanston

Township High School, from which he graduated in 1945. It was there that

he became smitten with Elaine, who was the older sister of his best friend,

Bud.

Following high school, Dave went on to graduate from the University of

Illinois-Urbana/Champaign (1945-48), and continued with his medical

education at the University of Illinois-Chicago College of Medicine

(1948-52). Prior to and concurrent with his residency in pediatrics at The

University of Michigan College of Medicine (1955-57), Dave served as a

Lieutenant in the Medical Corps of the Reserve of the United States Navy

(1953-66). Dave and Elaine married in 1950 and began their family in 1955,

welcoming five children in the span of six years.

Dave was a beloved pediatrician at the Joliet Medical Group, of which he

was a founder, Joliet Silver Cross Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in

Joliet, Illinois for more than forty years where he provided medical care and

advice for generations of families. Retiring in 1994, he and Elaine moved to

Kiawah Island, SC where they enjoyed life together until her death in 2020,

following 70 years of marriage.

Known as a gifted storyteller, Dave loved to share stories depicting a

lifetime of memories that included growing up with his brothers and sister in

a boisterous, loving family, witnessing creative medical interventions in the

Navy medical corps, and experiencing both the challenges and joys of

caring for thousands of children over the years.

Somehow, Dave still found time for his hobbies, which included

woodworking, skiing (which he enjoyed well into his 80s), sailing, singing

and scuba diving. He also made a mean whiskey sour.

In accordance with Dave's wishes, no formal memorial service will be held;

Dave's family will gather to celebrate his extraordinary life at a time yet to

be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorial gifts be

made to either St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s

Association.