STERLING – James W. Graff, 78, of Sterling, died Wednesday, July 29, 2009, at CGH Medical Center. He was employed by Armor Star Meat Packing for 10 years, then by National Manufacturing for a few years. Finally, he was employed by Wayne Dalton Co., Sterling, for 20 years, retiring in 1996.
James was born March 27, 1931, in Sterling, the son of Willis and Charlotte (LaFevre) Graff. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. James married Rita Anne McCue on July 1, 1961, in Sterling. She preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 2001. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling, and Sterling American Legion Post 296. James enjoyed hunting, fishing, racquetball, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a great father and grandfather, and will be sorely missed.
Survivors include a daughter, Ann (Jeff) Guthrie of Sterling; four sons, Jamie (Amy) Graff, Dan Graff, and Tom (Shelly) Graff, all of Sterling, and William (Suzanne) Graff of Belvidere; one brother, Eugene (Rita) Graff of Sterling; and 10 grandchildren, Aaron, Katie and Molly Guthrie, Jamie and Scott Waters, Ashley, Kyle, and Troy Graff, and Shannon and Jade Graff.
He also was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Charlotte “Jo” Ordean.
Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sterling. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Sterling. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls.
Memorials for Mass donations and to the American Cancer Society have been established.
Condolences may be sent at www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com on the Internet.