Leo Griffieon

Leo Phillip Griffieon, 87, died of injuries from a vehicle accident on Saturday, August 25, 2007. Funeral services will be held 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at Bondurant Christian Church, 306 Grant Street South. A military burial will follow at Bondurant Cemetery.
Leo was born on a farm in Graceville, Minnesota on September 27, 1919 to Phillip and Ruth Griffieon. He moved to Iowa and graduated from Bondurant High School in 1936. He married Dorothy Harter in 1942. They lived at various air bases in the U.S. while he was in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943-1945, serving as a flying cadet, instructor on B-24s, and as a First Lieutenant. Leo was an airplane commander of a Boeing B-29, “Sentimental Journey”, that flew night missions from Guam to Japan. He flew in the 315th Wing’s last and longest mission (17 hours) on August 14-15, 1945 when Japan surrendered, and in POW relief missions in the following days. Leo earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After World War II, he farmed northeast of Bondurant, south of Nevada in Story County, and south of Altoona for 30 years, before retiring and moving to Ankeny in 1998. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy in June 2004; son, John Griffieon, who was killed in a tractor accident in 1959; brother, Ray; and sister, Clara. He married Alice Crowell in July 2005, and they lived in rural Altoona and spent their winter months in Texas.
Leo was active in the American Legion, serving as Bondurant Post #396 Commander, twice; Polk County Commander; Nevada Post #48 Commander; Story County Commander; 6th District Commander; and Department of Iowa Vice Commander. He was also on the National Security Council of the American Legion for many years and was chairman of the Department Liaison Committee for three years.
Leo was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Altoona. He went through the chairs and was Master of the Lodge in 1974. He holds District Lecture Certificate #2767 and was a charter member of the Bondurant Lions Club. Leo loved to play cards, golf, and socialize. He never met a stranger.
Leo is survived by his wife, Alice; children, Sue (John) Aho of Rockwell City, Ted (Carol) Griffieon of Altoona, and Sally (John) Sonnenburg of Urbandale; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister, Nadine Anderson of Waverly; step-children, Diane (Richard) Grimes of Albia, Mary Berry of Des Moines, and Donald Blasky of Ankeny; three step-grandchildren; one step great-grandson; and a host of beloved friends.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Legion; King David Lodge #407 in Altoona; or Bondurant Christian Church.
Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at Bondurant Christian Church. Arrangements being handled by Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home.

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