Russell S. Graff

Russell Shane Graff, 54, of Capron, was put into God’s hands as an angel on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Javon Bea Hospital, Rockford.

He was born February 23, 1968, to Rita (Gurtowski) and Al Graff in Woodstock. Awesome, loving husband of Hollis Piquette Graff, they were married on May 23, 2003. Russ was so proud that he was able to have his dad be his best man. Russ worked for American Ad Bag for nearly 16 years. His entire work career was primarily in the printing industry.

Russ was a kind, loving man who would help anyone in need. He and Hollis were tied at the hip, and he was the biggest supporter of his girls. He was passionate about his Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Chicago Bears even when they made him mad. He was so excited when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005. He stood proudly behind his beliefs. He loved anything to do with motorcycles. In his younger days, he raced his FZ 400 Yamaha at Road America in Elkhart, Wis., and Blackhawk Farms Raceway in South Beloit. Russ loved raising tropical fish, feeding the birds, and sitting and enjoying his flowers and watching the birds with his wife.

Daughter Reaganne said the favorite thing about her dad was “How he would do anything for the people he loved and was always there to support her in everything she and her sister did.” Daughter Addison said, “She loved her dad’s smile and laugh.” Hollis shared that just two weeks ago there was a woman sitting on the side of the road, and Russ stopped to see if she needed any help. She said no and pointed to the tree where there was a bald eagle. But she said thanks for stopping. Hollis loved his gentle voice, his smile, his patience with her and the love for his daughters. He was a loving husband and the greatest father anyone could ask for.

Growing up Russ loved living on the small family farm in Wonder Lake that his mom referred to as the Polish Ponderosa. He was the baby of the family -- number seven. His mom always said that not too many moms had both a child and a grandchild in the same elementary school at the same time. Many days were spent playing up in the haymow and making tunnels out of bales and swinging on ropes from beam to beam. The neighborhood baseball games and nighttime Big Black Bear games filled summer days.

Survivors include his wife Hollis Piquette Graff; daughters Reaganne and Addison, grandmother in-law Audrey Rollins; mother-in-law Kim (Matt) Stahl; father-in-law Jed (Kim) Piquette; siblings Karin (Jim) McGrath, Jerry (Judy) Graff, Susan Larson, Ken (Jo) Graff, Dan Graff (Linda), Denise (Jim) Graff Ponstein; brothers-in-law Jeremy Piquette, sister-in-law Brittnie (Chris) Kirkpatrick, sisters-in-law Jessie, Dallas and Maddison Piquette; brother-in-law Matthew (Emily) Stahl, and sister-in-law Bridgitte (Clayton) Wesorick.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay Street, Woodstock, on Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

The family requests you wear a shirt or jersey of on one of his favorite sport teams. And, definitely no Cubs shirts will be allowed.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the family or the charity of your choice.

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