Don Graft: 1925 - 2007
Don Graft, 82, a resident of
Don was born August 17, 1925 in
The survivors include his wife of 61 years, Sue Graft,; their children Jim (Vicki) Graft and Donald L. Graft both of rural Fort Wayne, and Diane (Ed) Mayer of Valrico, Florida; two brothers, Ray Graft of Hoagland and Ralph Graft of New Haven; a sister Bertha Braun of Decatur; grandchildren Jami (PJ) Steffen, of Avon, Kelli (Chris) Moran, and Alissa (Ken) Knepple both of Fort Wayne, Kendall (Tyler) Hoffman of Columbia City, Ian Graft, Brandon Graft, and Aaron Graft all of Fort Wayne, Jeremy (Nicole) Mayer of Ocoee, Fl., and PFC Greg Mayer of South Korea; and great-grandchildren Timothy Knepple, Rebekah, Joshua, and Jessica Steffen, and Lydia Moran.
He was preceded in death by two brothers Charles Graft andThurman Graft; and a sister Viola Fisher.
Funeral services will be held Friday December 7, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in the
The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and also on Friday morning at the church from 9:00 A.M. until service time.
Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.
For those who wish memorials may be directed to
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To leave a condolence for the family in Mr. Graft’s name, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
December 5th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Dear Graft Family,
We were sorry to learn of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. The love of your friends and family will help keep you strong, along with all the happy memories of Don’s life.
The Gorsuch Family
December 6th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Sue, Diane, Jim, Don & families,
I wish to express my deepest sympathy to you at this time of Don’s passing. He was a great man to many of us as kids, a basketball coach who truly cared about all of us and gave of his time to make us better players and people. I cannot pick out one person from my life that was a more positive influence who wanted us to work hard to achieve goals and be good Christians. I am sure you will miss him, his wit and love of life. Just know that there are a lot more of us out here who Don touched and helped in ways we did not even know then.
I am sorry I could not make the viewing or funeral due to our jobs and sick kids this week. Please know we are praying for you, and I know Don is now complete with God.
God’s blessings to you all,
Rich & Rena’ Greener and family
December 7th, 2007 at 1:47 am
My family and I just wanted to express our deepest sympathy to your family. Don was our milk man and friend for 30 some years. We have so many fond memories of his visits to our farm.
When my brother and I were little, Don would have us stand out by his milk truck with him and look at ourselves in the reflection of his truck that gave the illusion of a fun house mirror… sometimes you’d be tall and skinny and sometimes you’d be short and fat. Don would always get a chuckle out of all of us acting silly and seeing our distorted reflections.
I have known Don pretty much my entire life and I always looked forward to his arrival. Don seemed to really enjoy his job and creating a friendship with my parents, and watching my brother and I grow. He seemed like a part of our family.
He was just such a likable guy and our family shall never forget him.
I ran into Don one Sunday morning at an IHOP about 7 or 8 years ago, and told him I was Gerald Lockwood’s daughter, and he was so tickled that I remembered him and thought enough to come up and say hi to him.
My parents, Gerald & Sandra Lockwood, send their deepest sympathy to you, as well as myself and my brother. God bless your family.
All our love,
Gerald & Sandra Lockwood, Sheldon Lockwood, and Tina Helbert.
(Gerald Lockwood 3392 County Road 23 Waterloo, Indiana 46793)
December 7th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Dear Sue and Family,
Our Sympathy to all of you in your loss.
From family of Harold E Graft,Dons cousin.
Harold died 12-1968. His funeral was in the old Sub Bethleham Church. Dad enjoyed Don. They both had a smile almost all the time. Don had a twinkle in his eye and always so nice.They both had a strong belief in God.
Sue, Thank You for your hospitality at the Graft Family Reunion at your home years ago.
Because of Dons love and devotion of his time to Sports I thought I would pass on this infomation to you.
The number one Worlds Amateur Womens Golfer is Harolds great grand-daughter Amanda Blumenherst. Jr/Duke University.Inter-net at Duke GOLF.
I read in Dons Obituary he has a grandson Greg Meyer in the Military. We are used to the military life and sacrafices of their families. R.Wade Graft F-18 Pilot 2006 retired NAVY Commander.
Take care of your Family and Gods Blessings. Judith Graft Blumenherst Marbach
daughter of Harold Emil Graft.