Christopher Griffin Army Sergeant Christopher T. Griffin, 24, died Saturday, October 3, 2009, while serving in Afghanistan.

He was born April 10, 1985, in Sault Ste. Marie.

He grew up in Kincheloe, where he liked to spend time around the fire hall with his grandfather and father. He was a 2004 graduate of Rudyard Area Schools, where he was involved in varsity wrestling.

There was never any question about what he would do after high school, friends said. From the time he was a young boy, he talked about the military. Just three weeks after high school graduation, he began basic training in the United States Army at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Sgt. Griffin had served in South Korea, in Iraq in 2006-2007, and was most recently stationed out of Fort Carson, Colorado.

Sgt. Griffin was a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He enjoyed computer gaming.

He is survived by his parents, Kerri and Mel Causley of Petoskey, and Rick and Kathy Baker-LaDuke of Kincheloe; four sisters, Melissa Giddis of Boyne Falls, and Darcie, Katie, and Megan Baker-LaDuke, all of Kincheloe; a brother, Derrick Baker-LaDuke of Kincheloe, and a nephew, Eli Giddis of Boyne Falls. He is also survived by his grandparents, Cherryl Baker of Kincheloe, Tom and Maggie Balgenorth of Kincheloe, and Marcia Griffin of Goetzville, and many uncles, aunts, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Larry Baker and Kenneth Griffin.

Services for Sgt. Griffin will be Wednesday, October 14, at 2 p.m. at the Rudyard High School gymnasium.

Contributions may be directed to Rudyard Area Schools for a scholarship in his memory. The address is P.O. Box 246, Rudyard, Michigan 49780.

Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford assisted the family with arrangements.