Freeman Eugene "Gene" Graeff

Freeman Eugene “Gene” Graeff, 94 of Murphysboro, passed away at 6:22am on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 in Murphysboro. Gene was born on September 1, 1919 in Murphysboro a son to the late Freeman and Emma (Smith) Graeff. He was united in marriage to Betty R. Stout on January 17, 1943 in Jackson, MO.; Betty preceded him in death on December 19, 2012. Gene was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro; where he had been a member of the board of Trustees and Deacons, he also served with church youth activities and countless other ways. He was a former Board Member of Murphysboro School District, and was an avid supporter of Murphysboro School athletics. He was a U.S. Army veteran and proudly served during WWII and was wounded at the battle of the Bulge. He was a retired owner Bill & Gene’s Tom Boy Supermarket in Murphysboro; he had been a meat cutter for most of his life, he was also retired from the Jackson County Highway Department. Gene was a member of the American Legion Paul Stout Post 127 and the V.F.W. Post 7190 both in Murphysboro. Services will be at 11am on Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro, Rev. Shaker Samuel of the First Baptist Church will officiate, burial will follow at Tower Grove Cemetery in Murphysboro with military rites by American Legion Post 127, V.F.W. post 7190 both of Murphysboro, V.F.W. Post 2605 of Carbondale and Jackson County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 69. Visitation will be from 9 am until the hour of services on Saturday at the church. Memorials are encouraged and may be made to the First Baptist Church in Murphysboro. Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law; Mary Jeanne and Max Mason of Liberty, MO., two sons and daughters-in-law; Stan and Jo Graeff of Murphysboro and Philip and Micki Graeff of Saint Peters, MO., seven grandchildren; Jennifer (Chris) Long of Bethesda, MD., Stuart (Patty) Ludlow of Kansas City, MO., Megan R. Graeff of Chicago, IL., Joey A. Graeff of St. Louis, MO., Timothy (Jennifer) Graeff of Colorado Springs, CO., Alison Graeff of St. Louis, MO., and Christopher Graeff of Saint Peters, MO., eight great grandchildren; Audrey and Ingrid Long, Madeline and Graham Ludlow, Braden, Kaelyn, Devon, and Jacen Graeff. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by two sisters; Ellen Woolard, and Pollyann Stewart and three brothers; Roger, John and Carl Graeff

Freeman Eugene "Gene" Graeff

September 1, 1919 - October 2, 2013