Raymond A. Graff

Raymond A. Graff, 86, passed peacefully in his sleep on Friday, April 9, 2011, at 12:20 am at his home, his cottage in his daughter, Judy Jo and her husband, David's yard. He was surrounded by his children, extended family members, and his VNA Hospice Nurse, Kim. Raymond was the youngest of the five children of Louis and Anna (Davis) Graff, and was born in Murphysboro, Illinois on February 4, 1925. He married Louise (Gregersen) Graff on May 6, 1944, at Mt. Joy Lutheran Church, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage together prior to her death on August 6, 2005. He is survived by his three children, Charles "Butch" (Linda) Graff of Huntingburg, IN, Judy Jo (David) Phillips of Murphysboro, IL, and Keith (Mickey) Graff of Dallas, TX. He is survived by six grandchildren: Cheryl Graff (Wes Capehart) of Winslow, IN; Beth (Dave) Tortorici of Lombard, IL; Becky Graff ( Phil Zehr) of Huntingburg, IN; Zakary Graff (Katrina Moser) of New Port Beach, CA; Logan (Lindsay) Graff of Frisco, TX; and, Jimmy Borgsmiller (Eman El-Ayins) of Murphysboro, IL; and one step grandson, Jason (Stephanie) Phillips of Carterville, IL. He was blessed with four great grandchildren, Katherine Tortorici, Xavier Borgsmiller, Amelia Tortorici, and Cole Graff; and two step great grandsons, Brady and Bryce Phillips. In addition he is survived by his beloved brother-in-law and good friend, Gene Heiple of Gorham, IL, and special cousins, Gene (Ann) Graff and Gene's sister, June (Graff ) all of Bellelville, IL. He was the Graff Patriarch and "Uncle Snook" to his Graff nieces and nephews: Roberta (Carlo) Condelleri of Fenton, MO, Lyndall (Denise) Graff of Marion, IL, Joyce (Chet) Thomas of Logan IL, Orbie (Ryan) Glaub of Carterville, IL, Vickie (Bryan) Hollman of Murphysboro, Janice (Angelo) Fiorino, Dick (Sharon) Graff, Larry (Donna) Graff, Theresa (John) Mills, and Tina (Phil) Hunsaker all of Murphysboro; Ruby (Carl) Heins of Rockwood, IL, and Kathy (Bill) Leasor of Green River WY. In addition he was "Uncle Snook" to Louise's niece and nephews: Beverly (Dan) Jarrett of Murphysboro, IL, Robert (Marsha) Heiple of Gorham, IL, and Louie (Bonnie) Heiple of Ava, IL. He is survived by 41 great nieces and nephews, numerous great, great nieces and nephews, and was the Graff Patriarch also to the children of his cousins, Fred (Gladys) Graff and Claude (Irene) Graff. In addition to the loss of his loving wife, Louise, he was preceded in death by his and Louise's infant daughter Orbie Lou; his parents; Louise's parents, Charles and Josephine Gregersen; brothers and sisters and their spouses: infant sister Ruby Graff, Ernest (Glenace) Graff, Orbie (Henry) Welch, Hilbert (Theda) Graff, Herman (Betty) Graff; sister-in-law, Mary Heiple; nieces, Bonnie (Graff) McCosh and Dianna Graff; and nephew, David Graff. Raymond was of the "Greatest Generation", who served in WWII during the Nuremberg Trials as driver for General Anderson while serving under General Patton and parading before General Eisenhower. His family honored him with a membership to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC and the family accompanied him to the dedication of the memorial on Memorial Day 2004. Following his military experience, Raymond and Louise lived a life of complete devotion to each other as husband and wife and as each other's best friend throughout their marriage. Together they left a legacy of hard work and dedication for their children and were exemplary in the success of their labors. They were devote Lutherans and members of Mt. Joy Lutheran Church and then First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro. They farmed their land at Lake Kinkaid, operated then owned the Murphysboro Charcoal Pant, operated Graff's Restaurant, Graff's Bus Service, Graff's Mail Service. Raymond was a driver for Dairy Brand Milk, served on the Jackson County Draft Board, was the Jackson County Civil Defense Director for 17 years, and developed and ran the first Jackson County Land Fill. He was the Maintenance Supervisor with the Il Department of Transportation which was followed by his retirement. Upon their retirement, Raymond and Louise spent many years as "Snow Birds" wintering in Florida and then to Arizona, because, to quote Raymond, "there were too many old people were in Florida." In addition to his wonderful family, Raymond leaves behind two special ladies, his caregivers, Debbie Franklin of Royalton and Samantha "Sammy" Douglas of Murphysboro, and many special friends, including Betty Sarensen, Doris Lindsey, Mary Easton, Bill Jones, Toppy Dallas, Glen and Helen Garner, Dot Bean, and Carl and Sally Tripp all of Murphysboro, and "Flo" Paula Rothschild of Marion. Raymond was a man of gentleness, goodness and kindness. He will be greatly, greatly missed by his adoring family and wonderful friends. While our hearts are saddened by the loss of is presence with us, we are grateful that his final wish has been granted, that of being with his beloved wife, Louise, in heaven both now being held in the palm of Jesus' hands. "There's a man that people talk about. They say he's wonderful. They say he's a man to lookup to, that he's strong and steady, that deep down, he's a gentle soul, that he's always been there when he was needed"...and we, his family, smile and say,"We know, that's Raymond Graff, our Daddy, PaPa, Brother-In-Law, Cousin, Friend." Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2011, at the First Lutheran Church in Murphysboro with Pastor David Swan officiating and burial at Mt. Joy Cemetery with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605, and the Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Pettett Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Joy Cemetery Fund or to the First Lutheran Church. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Raymond A. Graff

February 4, 1925 - April 9, 2011