Fredrick 'Fred' (Fritz) William Graves 1930-2022

GRAVES, BONNES, HERRING, DOCKUM, HICKEY, GOLD, HAMMOND, SMITH, OSTERMANN, MILLER, KRUGER, LYONS, DRUYVESTYN

Posted By: Cindy Smith (email)
Date: 8/25/2024 at 15:48:58

Frederick William Graves, 'Fred' (Fritz) was born June 18, 1930, to a farming family in the small town of Ocheyedan, Iowa. He was born 3rd in a family of six siblings. His life centered around the cycle of sow/grow/reap/rest that is typical in an agricultural community. He passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

Over the course of his early years he lived with his Aunt Trace and Uncle Jim Druyvestyn. He was mentored by his Uncle John. They especially bonded around the mechanical mystery of tractor and trucks. It was this hobby which sparked his future career and livelihood. It also brought out the tenacious inventor inside him. For all of his life he was designing new and inventive ways to solve problems. Additionally, his early love of planting and nurturing was evident throughout his life. He never got away from the joy of watching things grow.

He enjoyed the company of friends from church and school. He especially enjoyed the company of his best friend, Clarence Bonnes. Through him, he met the love of his life; Clarence's sister, Wilmyna.

Fred and Wilmyna began dating in their late teens and married at the tender age of 19 and 20. They started their family a year and a half later with daughter, Lois. Shortly after, Mary Beth, Calvin and Jeff joined the ranks as their young family grew. Later, they uprooted their young ones and moved to the city suburbs of Chicago where two more children, Delores and David, were born.

In the 1970's they moved south and ended up in the suburbs of Atlanta. They were a formidable team as they managed a family business, helped found a new church and finished raising their children. After retiring in 1989, they were able to travel for several years, but their main focus was on their family and furthering God's kingdom. It was very clear that his greatest priorities included his faith in God, his wife, the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Fred was proud of us all. One of his greatest joys in life was seeing his family grow.

After the passing of his beloved wife, he became more focused than ever on sharing his faith with others. He ministered to many through prayer and song, generously sharing copies of his favorite devotional book; Jesus Always. Fred was an amazing and humble man with a true servant's heart for the Lord. He was grateful, kind and generous and he especially loved to encourage those around him.

Additionally he is survived by 2 grandchildren: Anna (Larry) Herring, Fred (Trish) Graves, Kent (Christin) Dockum, Beth (Matt) Hickey, Eric Gold, Alex (Mandy) Gold, Evan (Amanda) Gold, Aubrey (Ben) Hammond! Bethany (Micah) Smith, David Graves, Corynne Ostermann and Jesse Ostermann; and his 19 great-grandchildren; Emily ( Alfie) Miller, Kyle and Joel Herring; Calvin and Trevor Graves; William, Joshua and Whitley Dockum; Allison, Madeline and Quinlyn Hickey; Gwen, Moses and Sunny Smith; Rylin and Presley Gold; Louie, Jolee and Sunnie Gold; Also, he is survived by his sister, Shirley Kruger and sister-in-law, Everdeane Bonnes, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Wilmyna; grandchildren, Justin Gold and Ariel Gold; mother, Jeanette Lyons Graves; aunt and uncle, John and Trace Druyvestyn; sister, Thelma Isaacson; brothers, Jerold Graves, Garland Graves and Sherman Graves.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 22, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Scot Ward's Green Meadow Chapel with Pastor Joe Hughes officiating; interment will follow at Green Meadow Memorial Garden. Family will receive friends from 12 until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

~Source: Rockdale Citizen, Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Conyers, Georgia