obituaries

Francis Grafford

Kane |

Francis A. Grafford, 85, former Mayor of Kane, died at 7:35 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield.He was born in Jerseyville on June 28, 1929, and was the son of the late Elmer & Ella Edna (Lowe) Grafford.He graduated from Jersey Township High School, and served his country with the U.S. Navy.  He began working for Ford Motor Company in St. Louis for a short time, and began working at C&W Equipment in Jerseyville as a mechanic.  He retired as a shop foreman in 1994 after nearly 30 years of service.He served as Mayor of Kane for 17 years, and was currently serving as a trustee for Kane Township.  He was volunteer fireman for the Kane Fire Department for 49 years, and was one of the founders for the former Kane Gun Club.  In his "spare" time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, traveling,  and repairing lawn mowers.He first married the former Mary "Butter" Wright, and together they raised three children, and owned and operated the Kane Kafe.He then married  Martha "Marty" Scoggins on Oct. 11, 1985 in Carrollton, and together they have shared nearly 30 years together.Surviving are his wife, Marty Grafford of Kane; a daughter & son in law, Mary Cay and Arthur Sethaler of Carrollton; a son, John David "JD" Grafford of Beardstown; a daughter in law, Vicki Grafford of Carrollton; a step son & his wife, Timothy & Susan Roth, along with his two daughters, Jeanette & Lydia of Elsberry, Mo.; four grandchildren & their spouses, Amy Jo Taylor, and her companion, Chris DeWitt of Kane, John Ryan & Dana Grafford of Carrollton, Ursula Ann Sethaler, and her fiance' Erik Neff of White Hall, and Catherine Elizabeth "Beth" & Moose Plogger of Greenfield; eight great grandchildren; Katie, Ricky & Hayden Taylor, Carson, Landon and ShyannGrafford, and Gavid & Mason Holmes; a sister & brother in law, Evelyn & Joseph Valenti of Lake Villa; a brother, Elmer "Al" Grafford of San Diego, Ca.; many neices and nephews; his mother in law, Lucille Marie Scoggins of Carrollton; two sisters in law & brothers in law, Sherry & Gary Flatt and Donna & John Nonneman all of Carrollton; and his feline companion of 15 years, "Tinker".In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant daughters, Melissa Ann & Ursula Rae; a son, Francis A. "F.A." Grafford Jr. on Aug. 14, 2006; a brother, Harold Grafford; two sisters, Mary Lou Snyder and Lola Jean Howland; and his father in law, LeRoyScoggins.Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday.  Rev. Donna Snyder Blythe will officiate.He will be laid to rest in the Richwoods Cemetery in rural Carrollton, with military graveside rites conducted by the Tri County Honor Guard.Memorials may be given to the Boyd Foundation Gas Card Program in care of the funeral home.


Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home

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