James Glenn Graff

JAMES GLENN GRAFF OBITUARY
James Glenn Graff, 98, died August 11, 2024. “Jim”, a lifelong residence of rural Middletown, Illinois, was born on August 20, 1925 to Wilhelmine (Husterberg) and Glenn W. Graff. Jim was a graduate of Middletown High School then attended Lincoln College until 1944 when he was inducted into the United States Army during World War II. He proudly served in the 35th Division, 134th Infantry Regiment, Company C, and saw action in the Battle of the Bulge, Holland, crossing of the Rhine River, the Ruhr Pocket, then ending at the Elbe River near Berlin. He returned to the U.S. in the Spring of 1945 to Fort Camp Campbell, serving in the 5th Division, and honorably discharged later that same year. Jim was awarded several medals for his bravery and service, including two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart. Jim wrote a book called Reflections Of A Combat Infantryman which is a very personal and real account of his time in the Army.
Jim returned to Logan County and attended the University of Illinois studying agriculture. However he left college after one year, as he had an opportunity to return to his family home outside Middletown to begin farming. Jim married Alice Last on September 12, 1948. They continued to work and live on the farm for all but the last few years of their lifetimes, raising four children. Jim was a true steward of the land and a keeper of livestock. He was also a true citizen serving many roles including: teaching Agriculture classes in the GI School, a trustee of the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department, served a term on the Middletown School Board, served 25 years on the Menard Electric REA board, a faithful member of the Middletown Methodist Church, a lifelong member of the Middletown American Legion and a member of the New Holland and Greenview Masonic Lodge. Jim also was a lifelong member of the 35th Division Association, serving two separate terms as its president, and a member of the 35th Division Association ‘Hall of Fame’. Most importantly, Jim was always available to help the lives of many, no matter what their need. Although Jim accomplished much in his lifetime, he was most proud of his military service.
Jim was a history buff which led to his being a founding member of the Reactivated Civil War 114th Illinois Infantry Regiment in Springfield, Illinois and the Springfield Civil War Round Table. Jim and Alice loved Polka dancing and traveling throughout the United States and the World. Jim never met a stranger, having acquaintances across the Globe.
Jim is survived by his four children: Ann Abbott (David), Marilyn Smith, Kathy Esker (Fred) and William (Judi). He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alice, stepsister Glenna Hagney, son-in-law Joseph Smith and great grandson James M. Esker.
A visitation will be held at the Holland Barry & Bennet Funeral Home in Lincoln, Illinois on August 25, 2024, from 2:00PM to 5:00PM. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00AM on August 26, 2024 at the Lincoln Christian Church in Lincoln, Illinois. There will be visitation with the family at the church one hour before the Funeral Service. Internment with Military Honors will be at the Irish Grove Cemetery.
For those who wish to honor Jim, Memorial donations should be sent to the 35th Division Association, PO Box 5004, Topeka, KS 66605.