Doris J. Graffuis

Doris Jean Graffuis, 89, resident of Tallmadge, died Monday, September 16, 2013. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends whose lives were blessed immeasurably by her faith, humor and love. Her first priority was always her family, followed by her church and then her beloved Pittsburgh Steelers.

Doris was born June 12, 1924 in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Sarah Wilson, and moved to Tallmadge, Ohio in 1966. She retired from Betsy Ross Foods in 1996, and with her dear husband, Paul Graffuis, enjoyed travel, bowling and golf, as well as monthly luncheons with the Betsy Ross Retirement Group. She was an active member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Stow for 44 years where she will be fondly remembered for her award-winning portrayal of Baby New Year and her seemingly endless supply of mints. Her greatest legacy is, of course, her family, whom she loved most dearly. "Grandma Akron" had 3 daughters, 2 sons, 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, for whom she remembered every birthday with a card.

Doris was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Beverly Williams, and her brother and two sisters. She is survived by daughters Karen Madar of Garfield Heights, Ohio and Sheila (Dale) Bishop of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; sons Kent Smith of Auburntown, Tennessee and Kevin Wilson-Smith of Houston, Texas; 10 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Rita Graffuis of Tallmadge, Ohio.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, September 19, 2013 from 4pm to 8pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Road, Akron. Funeral services will be held at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3725 Kent Road, Stow, on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 11 am with the Rev. Arthur E. Cubbon officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Stow.