Joseph McGraw
Bethalto |
Joseph S. McGraw, age 74, passed away at 8:37 am on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
He was born on December 5, 1941in Litchfield, MN, the son of the late Joseph S. & Lucile F. (Ryan) McGraw, Sr.
He married Sharon M. (Olson) on March 16, 1967 in Watertown, SD. She passed away on February 25, 2015.
Joe was employed at Winchester as a business executive for over 30 years retiring in 2000. He was a long time member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his grandchildren. Papa could be found cheering them on at their sporting events and concerts. He tirelessly worked on improving his golf game and lamented his performance on Tuesdays with his golf buddies. Joe was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings fan whose perfect idea of a relaxing day was throwing a line into the water. He enjoyed giving back to the community through his work with United Way and the Boys and Girls Club. A vacation to him could be a trip around the world or simply singing a Sinatra tune at a piano bar.
He is survived by three children and their spouses, Michelle and Mike Oliver of Jefferson City, MO, Sean and Marsha McGraw of O’Fallon, MO and Missy and David Gehrke of St. Charles, MO; his grandchildren, Matt, Megan, Dylan, Ryan and Greta; a sister, Mary Lambert of Milford, CT; a brother, Fr. Rene McGraw of Collegeville, MN; brother-in-law, Bill Friedman of New York; several nieces and nephews and his lifelong friend and fiancé Jananne Threlkeld of Edwardsville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two sisters, Anne Lynch and Patricia Friedman
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, August 8, 2016 at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
Visitation will continue from 9:30 am until time of funeral mass at 10:30 am Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edwardsville with Father Rene McGraw and Father Dan Bergbower officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center or the Peace Studies at St. John’s University.
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
