Obit: De Graff, James G. (1940 - 2008)

Contact: ken@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: De Graff, Speight, Joyner, Parker, Gunn, Umphlett, Cornwell, Crews, Midvett, Fetty, Benson, Burt, Goldbach, Wojcik, Bercklin, Kaminski, Blythe, Ponder

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Wood Co., Wis.) Tuesday, 27 May 2008 P 2A C. 1

De Graff, James G. (14 Mar. 1940 - 26 May 2008)

James "Jim" G. De Graff, 68, died at his home on Monday, May 26, 2008, following a courageous battle with cancer (mesothelioma) from asbestos exposure.

Funeral services for James G. De Graff with military honors will be held graveside at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at Mount Horeb Cemetery, Mount Horeb Road in Handsom, Va. The Rev. Tommy Speight will officiate. Relatives and friends are welcome from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at the Wright Funeral Home, 206 West Fourth Ave., Franklin, Va., for viewing. The following people have been requested to be pallbearers: Jerry Joyner, Steve Parker, Earl Gunn, Harvey Umphlett, Billy Cornwell, David Rook, Jeff Crews and Brian Midyett.

He was born March 14, 1940, in Caledonia to the late Jacob and Irene De Graff. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1958 and attended college in River Falls. Jim served in the U.S. Navy for three years, from 1961 to 1963, and was a plank owner on the USS Francis Marion APA-LPA 249.

He was married to Judy W. De Graff in 1965 for 17 years, and he was remarried to Alice W. De Graff in 1984.

In 1964, Jim moved to Courtland, Va., and began working for Union Camp, which is now International Paper. Having worked for the company for 44 years, Jim finally retired as of Jan. 1, 2008. During these numerous years, Jim made many friends and touched the lives of countless people.

Jim was a member and deacon of the Courtland Baptist Church. He was a member of the Bronco Rod and Gun Club, where he was very active and served on the Executive Board of Supervisors. He also belonged to the Franklin Moose Lodge where he served as officer, governor, secretary and treasurer for many years. He also participated in the Little Theater of Franklin, Va., and he was the assistant Scout master for the Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 211 of Courtland, Va., where he was a member of the Order of the Arrow. For many years, Jim participated with his wife in dog obedience training and assisted her with De Graff Studios making and selling jewelry at craft shows.

Jim is survived by his wife, Alice, the love of his life, his daughter and her partner, Jodi De Graff and Nick Fetty of Florida; his stepson and his wife, Travis and Tracey Benson of Sedley; his stepdaughter and her husband of Calgary, Loren and Darren Burt; nine stepgrandchildren, Aaron and Kala Babb, Steven, Jason, Justin and Jacqueline Burt, Reagan, Riley and Ryann Benson; two sisters, Jennie Goldbach of Florida, Irene Wojcik of Wisconsin; and one brother, Jake De Graff of Wisconsin. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Bettie Bercklin and Janice Kaminski.

Memorial donations may be made to the Courtland Baptist Church building fund in his name. We would like to thank Terry Blythe and Dr. Ponder with the hospice association and our family and many friends for their help and support.