Obituaries
John R. Graeter, 88
May 20, 1936 - May 29, 2024
John R. Graeter, 88, passed away from this life on May 29, 2024, following an accident which resulted in serious injuries causing his death.
John was a beloved and devoted husband, father, and friend to all. He was born May 20, 1936, to John R. Graeter, Sr. and Naomi Miller Graeter. His wife of 66 years Barbara (Bushong) Graeter, survives him, along with his son Tim, married to Rachel Cantwell, and his sister Sandra Gilpin and her husband John of Hanover.
A lifetime resident of Lancaster, he was a proud graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School in 1954 and Penn State York in 1956 with an associate’s degree in mechanical engineering. He began his career at DeWalt/Black and Decker as a draftsman, followed by Armstrong/Kerr, and Grinnell in engineering positions and he retired from Herr & Sacco Mechanical Contractors in 2000 as a Project Manager after 22 years of employment.
John loved to tie flies and go fly fishing with his sons, cousin Jack, and his brother-in-law John, and back in the day, to go on ski trips to Vermont and Colorado, horseback trips in Colorado, traveling within the United States and Canada and some cruises. Above all, though, 37 years of Penn State football season tickets and many other sporting events were what he liked most. “We Are!”
He was a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served as an usher for several years and of the Lancaster Lions Club which presented him with the Melvin Jones and Ralph Taylor awards.
In addition to his wife, sister, and son and daughter-in-law, John is also survived and will be missed by his granddaughter Claire and step-grandchildren, Lindsey, Emily, Audrey, and Hanna, and five great-grandchildren, along with many treasured cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his much-loved son Chris who passed away in 2015, and by Chris’ wife Julie.
A memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 321 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, PA 17603 on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. John’s family will receive friends from 10 to 11:00 a.m. Inurnment will follow in the church columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, John would like his friends and family to do a good deed for someone. If so desired, memorial contributions would be gratefully received by St. John’s or a charity of your choice.
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
June 08, 2024
Mrs Graeter and Family,
So sorry to hear that John has passed, he was a great man. I worked at Armstrong and enjoyed the many projects that Herr & Sacco fabricated for us. John did an excellent job of estimating and following up as their Project Manager. We also had a love of fly tying and fly fishing.
He will be deeply missed.
Sincerely,
Glenn Grimes
June 06, 2024
John will be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. Such a sweet man and always a smile for whoever he met. He will be greatly missed. Condolences and peace to Barb and his family and friends.
Susanne Butler (Mundok)
June 05, 2024
Farewell Good Friend – Thanks to you and Barb for the many cherished memories from the past years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Barb during this difficult time.
Love,
Gerry and Barb Treadway
June 04, 2024
We are so saddened by the passing of John. He will be missed terribly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Thoughts and prayers to Barbara and her family during this very difficult time.
Suzanne Speece
June 03, 2024
Mrs. Graeter and family,
Brad just told me about the horrible news about Mr. Graeter. Please know how much we are saddened by his passing. I have so many fond memories of your family and it always puts a smile on my face. Mr. Graeter was always welcoming to me and always had that great smile when greeting you. Please accept my prayers and deepest condolences for you and the family during this difficult time.
Robb Aspril
June 03, 2024
Barb, Tim, & family,
I send deepest condoluences from my family! I/we are shocked and saddened by this news. You are in our thoughts and prayers! He always met me with good thoughts and a smile!
Brad Aspril
June 02, 2024
Dear Barb,
I would much rather send you an actual sympathy card but I don’t have your address, so will use this method to let you know how sorry I was to see in today’s newspaper about John’s passing. What a nice picture of a nice gentleman. I remember how willing he always was to help out with Heritage & Horizons. All my best to you as you will need strength to move on without your partner of so many years.
Fondly, Dottie Ezard
June 02, 2024
Thoughts and prayer with all the family at this most difficult time.
Dick and Marge Trout
June 02, 2024
Very sad to here of John’s passing, when I was in High School I was good friends with Tim. Thinking of all of you at this difficult time. John and Barb were very nice and friendly to me, passing of a parent can be very hard to deal with, time will help heal the loss🙏 Dave &Donna Groff
- Visitation
- Friday, June 07, 2024
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. John's Episcopal Church
- 321 W. Chestnut Street
- Lancaster, PA 17603
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions > - Services
- Friday, June 07, 2024
- 11:00 AM
- St. John's Episcopal Church
- 321 W. Chestnut Street
- Lancaster, PA 17603
- Map and Directions
-
Get Maps and Directions >
