Michael B. Graf

I’ve been thinking about Ben for some time now and I just learned of his passing today.
I’m very sorry to hear of this
May he rest in peace.
He will be greatly missed by all.
Good bye Ben
Your God Daughter
Bridget Scheel

I just heard of Ben’s passing. I will have a Mass said for him by the missionaries.
Many memories of him and Don.
May your memories help ease the loss.
Geena

Dearest Dad,
I really have to pinch myself to try to understand and except your passing. I miss you.
The days and nights passed are not the same anymore, knowing that my father has gone further beyond the starry nights I always have cherished. I miss you.
I have felt your presence knowing that you are happy and with loved ones. I miss you.
..following a song I have played to cope with the loss of my father:
“See You Said goodbye, turned around And you were gone, gone, gone Faded into the setting sun, Slipped away But I won’t cry cause I know I’ll never be lonely
For you are the stars I will see This is not where it ends I will carry you with me,
…til I see you again,Said goodbye turned aroundAnd you were gone, gone, Gone.
I miss you dad. Love always, your daughter Johanna Theresa

Those were the days — when watching football with you meant the loss of more allowance money. I’ll continue to support them Dad even with all the stress they bring to me:) just wish we could have had one more game together. We will miss you and all your unique qualities but celebrate those that you passed on to each one of us.

Dear Dad,
I know that you are in a happy and peaceful place now. I will always remember the good times we all shared as a family. I will miss all of your wonderful stories of how you grew up as a child, joining the U.S. Navy, your job and welding, and of course, how to plant and take care of a garden. I am grateful for having a father and I love you for always being my Dad. You taught me the meaning of hard work and how nothing comes easy in this life. Whether through chores, religion, or lectures, you taught all of your children the meaning of dedication, discipline and how to be strong. Rest in peace Dad. Love, your daughter Valerie.

To the entire Graf entourage: I remember your kitchen filled with shining faces. Your mom, cooking and laughing. All of the children running, chattering. Sitting at your table, listening and taking it all in. The smells, the sounds, the love. And when your dad walked into the kitchen, quiet. Respect. He would speak and then the activity would resume. I always enjoyed being in your home with my best friend and her family. You are all special people with a special bond. I am truly sorry for your loss. You can never replace the loved ones who leave, but we can all celebrate in the memories that are left behind for those who loved them to share. My heartfelt condolences to you all.

Gravity no longer holds you Dad, and you will be missed! You were loved much!!

To Remember You
To remember you, to remember you…..
We buried your body in a beautiful steel-blue casket,
with white doves and a velvety light-baby blue lining, with a soft pillow to rest your weary head and a soft, warm blanket for those cold days and nights,
we’d strewn beautiful photo pictures of children and friends and memories of then and them, all around you, all around you……
Your pipe for a smoke, and a kitten for you to stroke
The flowers that surround you of orange, white and blue-we remember you, we remember you…..
We spoke of love at your funeral, with difficulty of difficult times, fun times for all your rhymes and reasons…we spoke of memories, of fun.
We remember you, we remember…..
We spoke of how you remembered your Father above each and every day, especially on Sunday….
We spoke of your sadness, our sadness, the sorrow of no earthly tomorrow, tomorrow….
We spoke of how diligent and mindful you were of others, your sense of time, of being on time…..
We spoke of the father, the thinker the son the brother, the friend, the father not by law…..
The grandfather, the husband, the cousin, the greatest grandfather, the kindest neighbor, We remember, we remember……
The gardener who took care, the veteran, the friend, the thoughtful, the demanding, the anxious, the church giver and receiver, the Bible studier…….
We remember we remember…….
The welder-fitter, the animal lover, the doer, the storyteller, the rememberer, the forgetter, the unique gift giver, the planter, the harvester, the sinner, the fighter, the human-man, the righter the wronger the man who seemed stronger than anyone in mind and spirit.
We remember, we remember…….
An adopted, lonely, gifted man, full of information and stories of old and new ideas….but mostly though of human kindness shared with most.
We remember, we remember….
If only our hearts could feel better today!
But,,, time he would say, but time he would say….
We’ll always remember……
We’ll sometimes laugh and sometimes cry
We’ll look at our gardens and rejoice!
But we’ll miss your voice…..we’ll miss your voice….
We’ll miss your bear hugs your head needing rubbed…
Your insane canning, and bakings of choice….
Your laughter your rage, yourimpassionate yelling and the Good Books page an announcement of travel, your inventions, and cookbooks, your repertois of music…..
Your mixed drinks hah hah! Your purcolater, your liquid trash can, your iron and steel weighters….
We remember, we remember…..
Your welding helmet, and clicker a strong willed man: dedicated to raising seven plus! The sailor, the farmer the lonely and broken-hearted in this expirement called LIFE.
We remember, we remember the father who insists the reader learn from his mistakes and take a chance on the GOOD Lord, for we are all sinners and can we be better? He tries to show us how by
his love for his family and all….
We remember we remember……
From the large to the small….. from his Father in heaven and our Mother and all……
From Alpena, Michigan to Cleveland and anyone who would call……We remember, we remember…..
So lay in peace my dear father, be at rest without call, when the time comes we will see you and rejoice with us all!! Many are tearing up for you, you will hear the drops fall. We remember you always your family friends and neighbors we love you all. we remember you forever , love, hugs, kisses from us all!

Thank you for all your help back home in Norway and all your good stories. I’m sad that we cant have you for Christmas like Johanna and I had planned but I know we’ll meet again later.
Love from Arild.

Mike’s Family,
We will miss Mike very very much. He was a truly wonderful neighbor and friend to us. He always had an interesting story to share with us any time we saw him out in the yard or took him over something we made or I baked. I enjoyed so much seeing the big smile on his face when I would take him something over and he would always ask me if it were cookies. He always had that twinkle in his eye when he would smile and laugh. If there is anything we can help with looking after his place please do not hesitate to stop by and see us. Warmest Regards, Eric and Linda Hill and Family.