John Wayne Graff, 73, of Montrose, IA passed away Monday, April 1, 2024 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, IA after battling a long illness.
He was born January 14, 1951 in White Township Indiana County, PA the son of John F. and Doris Jean Wingard Graff. John graduated from Lenape Technical High School in Ford City, PA with the class of 1968. He attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Chicago, IL.
On January 20, 1984, John was united in marriage to Claire Wiltrakis in Wheaton, IL, for forty years. She survives.
Other survivors include one daughter, Jennifer Zoller of Charlottesville, TN and two grandchildren, Haylee Schlim and Parker Schlim both of DeKalb, IL. He is also survived by two sisters, Kathy Graff of Plum Creek Township Armstrong County, PA and Connie Graff of Town of Saugerties, Ulster County, NY, one nephew, Geoffrey Graff and four lifelong friends, Ron Dinwiddie, Steve Maerz, Woody Smith aka Junior and Bob Mlsek and four aunts, one uncle and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
John had been employed by Quantum Data as a senior electrical design engineer for thirty plus years, until his retirement.
He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gastown, PA and was a lifetime member of the American Motorcycle Association.
John was an outdoorsman at heart and loved spending time outdoors, hiking and gardening. He was an enthusiastic motorcycle lover, who loved to ride and repair them. At one time he owned five motorcycles and took many cross country trips through the years. John also enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, the more pieces the better along with crossword and Sudoku puzzles. He had a great but “dry” sense of humor.
A graveside service will be held 3 p.m. Monday April 8 at the Montrose Cemetery in Montrose, IA with Pastor Joyce Dix-Weiers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holden Cancer Center in Iowa City, IA or to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, IA.
The Vigen Memorial Home in Montrose, IA is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.
