Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Laurence George Graefen
About
FUNERAL HOME
UPCOMING SERVICE
Laurence Graefen Obituary
Laurence George Graefen, 83, of St. Joseph died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph.
Born Dec. 19, 1941, in Chicago, he attended George Rogers Clark High School in Whiting, Ind., graduating in 1959. He played football and sang in the choir. After high school, he began at Inland Steel in East Chicago, Ind. After many years as a foreman in the steel mill he was hired as the plant manager at White Advertising in Schneider, Ind., and moved his family to Lowell, Ind., for the next 10 years. In 1981, he ventured with partners and created Harbor Graphics in Benton Harbor, moving his family to the Stevensville area. He retired from Harbor Graphics in 2012. He has an associate's degree in business from Purdue University. He was a Marine sharpshooter, winning his dress blues by being the outstanding boot camp marine. He served in the Marines Corps Reserves from June 1964 through November 1969. He won a Good Conduct Medal as well.
Laurence thoroughly enjoyed golf and was a member of the Berrien Hills Country Club and Orchard Hills Golf Club. He had played golf in Scotland, England and various other great courses.
He was preceded in death by his father, Laurence George Graefen; his mother, Margaret McMaster Graefen and his sister, Janice Bjork-Harrison.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Suzann (Welsby) Graefen; a son, Paul (Susie) Graefen; daughter, Margaret Graefen Norman; daughter, Leslie (Scott) Van Houten. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Grace Graefen, Tyler Stone, Dillon Norman, Scarlett Norman, Sawyer Norman, Sydney Van Houten and Bryce Van Houten.
Arrangements are being handled by Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, where family will receive friends for visitation from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15. There will be a mass of Christian service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, MI 49022. There will be a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Toys for Tots.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Laurence Graefen
Funeral services provided by:
Starks & Menchinger Chapel - Saint Joseph2650 Niles Rd, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Memories and Condolences
for Laurence Graefen
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Laurence Graefen's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
How to support Laurence's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Laurence Graefen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
