Bernice DeGraff

Bernice DeGraff, age 93, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at Clinton Health and Rehab in Clinton, Missouri.

Bernice Stoll-DeGraff was born on October 18, 1931, in Asbury, Missouri, to Clarence and Thelma (Matter) Bilderback. She attended Asbury elementary school and graduated from Carl Junction High School.

After graduating, while visiting her sister in Colorado, Bernice met Leonard Stoll, a ranch foreman. They married on August 21, 1949. The couple lived in a small house on the ranch, and although they faced many challenges, they built lifelong friendships and fondly remembered attending local dances.

Eventually, Bernice and Leonard returned to Missouri, where they had five children between 1950 and 1964. They began their family life in El Dorado Springs, MO, and moved frequently over the years. In 1992, they purchased an RV and headed to Arizona, but Leonard was ill and he passed too soon to enjoy their plans. Despite the loss, Bernice continued to spend winters in Arizona, a place she came to love.

In 2008, Bernice met and married Fred DeGraff on May 27, surrounded by her children. Their marriage was filled with love, travel, and dancing-a joy Bernice cherished throughout her life. After Fred's passing in 2013, she lived with her daughter and continued to enjoy time with her family.

Bernice was an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer. She worked tirelessly-raising a large family while also holding jobs in a shoe factory, shirt factory, and the Levi's jeans factory (back in the days before air conditioning!). She later took a business course, worked in real estate, and cared lovingly for both of her husbands during their illnesses.

Her faith was a cornerstone of her life. A member of First Baptist Church in Clinton, MO, she was baptized as a young girl and remained committed to her spiritual life, raising her children in church and always staying connected to a church community during her travels.

As Proverbs 31:28 says:
"Her children arise and call her blessed..."

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leonard Stoll, husband, Fred DeGraff, three sisters, Juanita Bilderback, Opal Bolin, Dee Severn, a brother, John "Corky" Bilderback and a son, Daniel Stoll. Surviving her: son, Mike and Celeste (Cornwell) Stoll of Port Orchard, daughter-in-law, Brenda (Reeder) Stoll of El Dorado Springs, MO, daughter, Sandra (Stoll) and Bill Stoneking of Clinton, MO, son, Scott and Cathy (Jobson) Stoll of Columbia, MO, Tracy (Stoll) and David Lee of La Harpe, KS. Grandchildren: Michelle (Stoll) and Dan Dean of Port Orchard, WA, Melisssa Stoll of St Louis, Illinois, Mitchell and Jimeem (Snider) Stoll of St Louis, Illinois, Marcela (Stoll) and Feltus Anderson III of Tacoma, WA, and Mickey and Jamie (Cripe) Stoll, Del Mar, CA, Kajo Stoll of Kansas City, KS, Travis and Monica (Daniels) Stoll of El Dorado Springs, MO, Brendan Stoll of El Dorado Springs, MO, Kate (Swords) and Timothy Mutzel of New York City, NY, Joseph and Valerie (Heffner) Swords of Arlington, VA, Justin and Sarah (Dugo) Stoll of St. Louis, MO, Kevin and Megan (Mudd) Stoll of Columbia, MO, Adin (Lee) and Michael Decker of Prairie Village, KS, Tai Lee of La Harpe, KS, Austin and Bailey (Myers) Lee of La Harpe, KS. She also leaves many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held September 4, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Clinton, MO with Pastor Pat Findley officiating. The casket bearers were Joseph Swords, Kevin Stoll, Austin Lee, Kajo Stoll, Brendan Stoll and Travis Stoll. Special music by Kevin Griffey and Mike Town. Interment followed in Taberville Cemetery, Taberville, MO.

Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.