Gerald Glenn Griffin, 78, of Rockford, died Sunday, February 19, 2012 in his home following a sudden illness. He was born on July 24, 1933 in Witt, Illinois; the son of Howard and Grace (Eddington) Griffin. He attended schools in Irving and Belvidere and graduated from Belvidere High School, class of 1951. Gerald served in the Army Air Force from July 1953 to April 1955 in the 931st Engineer Aviation Group. He was employed as a farmer, coal miner and merchant mariner before retiring. He is survived by his mother, Grace E. Tomamichel; half-sister, Karen (Gary) McCoy both of Belvidere and a niece and a nephew.