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Wayne Van De Graaff Obituary
WAYNE JOSEPH
VAN DE GRAAFF
May 24, 1928 - Jan. 28, 2010
A memorial service will be held Friday, February 5 at 11 a.m. at 1280 South 8th Street in El Centro for Wayne Van De Graaff of Calexico who died Thursday, January 28. He was 81 years old. Wayne will be laid to rest Saturday, February 6 in Mesa, Arizona.
Wayne Joseph Van De Graaff was born in Ogden, Utah on May 24, 1928, to John and Ellen Van De Graaff. He completed his elementary and secondary education in Ogden before serving in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Pacific Theater. He was recalled into the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.
He married his eternal sweetheart, Josephine (Josie) Marett, on the coldest day of the year - January 7, 1953 in Logan, Utah. They eventually settled in Calexico, California in 1956 where they raised their family while he worked for the Border Patrol and the Immigration Service for 30 years.
Wayne and Josie were a great force for good in the Imperial Valley for five decades. They helped co-found the Valley Orthopedic Clinic in 1963 which provided medical care for over 125, 000 crippled children during the ensuing years. Even after retiring, Wayne and Josie tirelessly devoted themselves to keeping he Clinic operating and helping others. Wayne also served as a member of the Calexico School Board, Calexico City Council, Imperial County Board of Supervisors, and with Josie served two consecutive missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Josephine Marett Van De Graaff, Calexico, CA; daughter, Margaret (Paul) Smith, Salt Lake City, UT; daughter, Marina (Gary) Glindinning, McFarland, WI; son, Marvell Earl (Cindy) Wan De Graaff, Mesa, AZ; son, Wayne (Vickie) Van De Graaff, Woods Cross, UT; son, Kenneth (Kim) Van De Graaff, Gilbert, AZ; sister, Ellen Mitchell, Ogden, UT; sister, Lucille (Ralph) Rackham, Ogden, UT; sister, Sherma (Chuck) Price, Clinton, UT; brother, David (Pearl) Van De Graaff, Boise, ID; brother, John (Miriam) Van De Graaff, Argyle, WI; brother, Fred (Sandy) Van De Graaff, Houston, TX; 24 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please send donations to the Valley Orthopedic Clinic, 352 East First Street, Calexico, CA 92231.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Van De Graaff
Rachel Bittick
February 9, 2010
My heart and love goes to all the Van De Graaff family.
I will sincerely miss talking to Wayne, he was truly a
good man, a great landlord, advisor and friend. I will
remember him always with much appreciation for his
kindness for me and family. Rachel Bittick.
February 9, 2010
"Our family is saddened by the loss of this great man. The love he showed for others will never be forgotten. Until we meet again, Sincerely The Crispin Sanchez Family."
Danny Edwards
February 8, 2010
Wayne Van De Graaff will always be remembered by me as a true and honest man. I had many great conversations with him when I was a reporter at the Imperial Valley Press. He always acted on his convictions and never wavered in his work to help others and make the Valley a better place. I am sad to see Wayne has passed but know he lived a full life and did so much for others. He will always be remembered in my heart.
Salvador Ortega Ramirez
February 6, 2010
Wayne, my family and I want to express our privilege for knowing you and your dear wife Josie. You are a vivid example to learn about what community service, kindness, and friendship is. We are sure our Heavenly Father is receiving you as well as many other direct and indirect people that you supported here on earth but advanced on the way. Josie, we join to you and thank God for the privilege we have knowing you as Wayne's sweetheart, keep in mind the Happiness Plan. Salvador, Elida Ortega, and family. Heber CA
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Ada Mae Valagene
February 5, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Betty Schmitt
February 4, 2010
Sending Prayers and Condolences to the family of Mr. Van De Graff. I only met him and Mrs. Van De Graff briefly, but knew of the many services he gave to the community, church and to the people he so loved. I especially send condolences to his son Ken, of whom I worked with for many years at the Brawley Bank of America. Betty Schmitt
February 4, 2010
It is with deep sadness I received the news of Mr Van De Graff.
Mr Van De Graaf was a kind and honorable man,who dedicated much of his life to the service of his community. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with him when I was on the County Board of Supervisors At that time I had the great opportunity to work with him as the only female supervisor, and I am keen to remember the kindness and respect he showed me.I am proud to call him my friend. I would like to express my condolences to Mr Van De Graaf's family,but also to thank them all for sharing him with Imperial County for those many years he has served in so many ways. He will be missed by all who knew him
With deepest sympathy,
Jeanne Vogel
Imperial County Supervisor
District 5 1986-1990
Maria Peralta
February 2, 2010
I was one of the many Mexican children you helped in need. You were an angel walking on earth and still one up in haven. Van De Graaff was there in time of need for the children with polio. Thanks to his clinic I was able to walk better and function in society. I was just a child, 5 years old when I meet him. Tall, handsome and a real kind man with children. My prayers to Mr. Van De Graaff and his family. Love always Maria Lourdes Garcia de Peralta (Gilbert, Arizona)
February 2, 2010
Wayne, I can't think of a single thing that you did while in this life that did not set an example for the rest of us to follow. God Bless you and all your family.
Rudy and Dena Medina
Joshua Tree, CA
JOSIE MONTOYA
February 2, 2010
MR. VANDEGRAFF WILL BE GREATLY MISSED
ALWAYS WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR AND
A GREAT BIG SMILE. MY THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.
MARTHA GARCIA
February 1, 2010
VAN DE GRAAFF WAS A GREAT PERSON, HE WAS A TRUE BLESSING TO OUR FAMILY.
SINCERELY
February 1, 2010
Kenny:
Ron and I wish you peace - our prayers are with you and your family.
Terry Terrazas Asamen
JOHN D. AGUILAR JR.
February 1, 2010
VAN..... MI BUEN AMIGO LOS MEXICANOS, HEMOS PERDIDO A UN GRAN HOMBRE Y UN GRAN ANGEL DIOS SE LLEBA. AUN GRAN
SENOR Y LOS CALEXICANOS NUNCA TE OLBIDAREMOS.
A TU FAMILIA Y HIJOS ESTARAN MUY CONTENTOS DE UN GRAN HOMBRE
DIOS TE DE LA PAZ ETERNA
JOHN D.AGUILAR JR.
Noami Mendez
January 31, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Angie Heredia
January 31, 2010
Mi mas sentido pesame a la familia de Wayne Van De Graaff, yo fui una paciente de la Clinica Ortopedica por muchos anos y tuve el gusto de conocer al senor Van De Graaff, que siempre tuvo un C orazon muy grande y para el nunca hizo distinsion del color o raza de la gente que atendian en la Clinica. como le va hacer falta a la clinica ortopedica y tambien a la Gente de Calexico Y Mexicali y su Valle, que descanse en paz
Bulldogs Class of 1970
January 31, 2010
Wayne Van De Graaff was a very special individual, possessing the proverbial "heart as big as all outdoors". A perfect gentleman, and totally dedicated to the notion of being responsible and contributing to his community, His loss will be felt by many. Our sincerest condolences to his family, and to the many friends he made over the years.
Fair winds and following seas, Wayne!
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