Submitted by: Dan Rich

Frank H. DeGraff

Jan. 28, 1938 - April 10, 2006

South Bend Tribune 4/12/2006

Mr. Frank H. DeGraff, 68, of 511 Gramercy Street, Winston-Salem, NC, passed away suddenly on Monday, April 10, 2006, in the Forsyth Medical Center.

Mr. DeGraff was born on January 28, 1938, in South Bend, IN, to the late Harold N. and Marie V. Casey DeGraff. He was a member of St. Leo The Great Catholic Church parish, as well as a former member of the Armed Forces. Mr. DeGraff graduated from Western Michigan University in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. He was also an active member of Winston-Salem Elks Lodge #449 where he was a past exalted ruler and was currently serving as district deputy for the West Central District. He retired as an engineer from Hamilton Beach-Proctor Silex in Mount Airy, NC, and was currently working as a contract engineer in the local area. Most of his earlier work years, he was a contract mechanical engineer working throughout the continental U.S. He enjoyed reading, had become a gourmet cook, and was an avid golfer, belonging to Bucky's Bunch.

Mr. DeGraff is survived by his children, Robin S. DeGraff, Mechele S. Copas and Kevin S. DeGraff of Edwardsburg, MI; his sisters, Susanne DeGraff of Niles, MI, and Sheryl DeGraff of Granger, IN; six grandchildren, Donald Copas, Brandon DeGraff, Matthew DeGraff, Arron DeGraff, Michael DeGraff and Amber DeGraff of Edwardsburg, MI; one nephew, Donald "Fred" Vandygriff, Dublin, GA; and one niece, Carry DeGraff, St. Joseph, MI.

Due to Holy Week services, the funeral Mass will be held at 3 p.m. today, April 12, 2006, in St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, with the Reverend Kessler officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Per Frank's wishes, cremation will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NC Elks Charitable Trust for Camp Carefree, P.O. Box 29452, Greensboro, NC 27429-9452.