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SHAWANO, WI – Lowell E. Griffis, age 82, former Ishpeming resident, passed away on Saturday August 22, 2026 at his home in Shawano, WI with his family at his side. He had been fighting Pancreatic cancer for six years.
Lowell was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1943 in Flint, MI. He was the fourth of seven children born to Lowell and Mildred (Nichelson) Griffis. He was a 1962 graduate of St. John Vianney High School in Flint, MI. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served his country from 1962 to 1966. Most of those years were spent at KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn, MI. It was during those years spent in the Upper Peninsula that he met and married Sharon Ombrello. They were married at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming, MI on October 30, 1965. Lowell was the owner and operator of the Paradise Bar in Ishpeming for many years until his retirement in 2011. His customers were his friends and he had a genuine interest in their lives. He formed life long friendships with many of them. In 2014 Lowell and Sharon left the Upper Peninsula they loved to relocate to Shawano WI to be with their daughter and son in law Rebecca and Robert Croschere and their twin grandchildren, Eric and Ella. Lowell was a former member of St. John the Evangelist church, where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a former member of the Ishpeming Cribbage League. In his younger years Lowell held a Private Pilot license, Commercial Pilot license, and Flight Instructor license. His love of aircraft lasted his lifetime. After his move to Wisconsin, he served on the Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission for the Town of Wescott. He was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, where he served as an usher for many years.
Lowell is survived by his wife Sharon, his daughter and son in law Rebecca and Robert Croshere and their children Eric and Ella. He is further survived by his brother Robert (Christine) Griffis, sisters Gwen Velasquez, Caroline Gray, Victoria Holcomb, Christine (Floyd) Moore, and brothers in law John Marzolf and Gary Laitinen.
Lowell was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Patricia Marzolf, brothers in law Joseph Velasquez, Thomas Gray, and Patrick Holcomb, mother and father in law Dominic and Beatrice Ombrello and sister in law Donica Laitinen.
Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano WI on May 14, 2027 at 1:00 pm CT. Rev Edward Looney officiating. Lunch will follow the service. Burial will take place in Ishpeming, MI.