Dad at the Missouri Botanical Garden.  He is wearing one of his favorite t-shirts.

Dad and Joan visiting a beautiful church in Limburg Germany.

Here's Dad standing in front of Beethoven's house in Germany.

Dad and Joan enjoyed visiting the old town of Frankfurt Germany.

Dad fulfilled a wish to see the Portra Nigra in Trier Germany, a famous Roman city gate

Dad at the headwaters of the  Mississippi River during a family vacation in Minnesota.

Dad and Joan enjoying DC Cherry Blossoms at Tidal Basin with view of Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Dad at DC Tidal Basin with Cherry Blossoms and Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Dad loved visiting DC when the Cherry Blossoms were in bloom.

Dad at DC Tidal Basin enjoying the Cherry Blossoms.

Dad and our dog Heidi on a family camping trip at Montauk.

My Dad truly enjoyed seeing these flowers at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

I was so happy to see my Dad's joy looking at these flowers at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

My Dad loved looking at these flowers at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

My Dad very much enjoyed these flowers at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Dad and Mom enjoying lunch at at a favorite restaurant.

My favorite most recent memory of my grandpa is the times I would bring my daughter to see him with me. He loved seeing Lillian, she could always get a smile from him and a big smile too! He loved his great granddaughter and I bet he is up with grandma right now telling her all about Lillian and how she would of loved her too. I am happy to know that my grandpa got to meet my daughter and that she always made him so happy.

I remember when I was in college for teaching and between classes I would go have dinner with my grandma and grandpa. I'd do some homework to, my grandpa would come up behind me saying he was proud of me for going back after taking time off after high school. Then he'd tell me how much he loved teaching and how I would too. Well I didn't end up doing teaching but that's okay.

When my sister, Chey and I were little, grandpa would take a nap in his recliner so we would sneak behind him with some small ponytails and mess with his hair while he slept hahaha sometimes he just pretended to be asleep to let us do it.

I remember going camping and fishing with my grandpa and grandma when my sister and I were little, grandpa would be in his full fishing gear standing in the water waiting to patiently. Chey and I would be sitting on the sidelines just watching him until he came back then we'd go sit back at the campsite by the fire eating dinner then making smores. Grandma would tell us not to burn our marshmellows because it was bad for us then grandpa would say oh, Julia let them be.

Trevor and mom won a Christmas contest in Crestwood and dad claimed the wine, here he is looking to the end of the line to Star asking if she brought glasses... Santa asked to pour a third...

Dad took Paige and Chey fishing and Chey caught her 1st trout that day...

My father was an educated man, a man who believed in knowledge and higher learning.... while he took that path and excelled as a teacher, like his wife... as his son I've taken a different route. I am fortunate to have been told by my father whom I have such respect for that he greatly admired me for the labor intense jobs I've done, how I was willing to do what I must for my family.... as a selfless man he had no problem telling he could not have done what I've done... for me that meant a great deal coming from him and sealed a mutual respectful each other.... it was openness and honesty that made my dad who he was... he seemed to know just what to say

My dad passed away on Palm Sunday... a day we know he'd be pleased to rejoin his wife Julia. He left us peacefully. He never stopped yearning for knowledge and was currently reading a book about George Washington... History was a love of his. His love of Latin never left him as he enjoyed Latin crossword puzzles. He still played piano when he could though critical that he lost his ability, he still found joy when on the bench. He was compassionate and to the end kept a keen eye on his grandchildren and how they were doing.. Paige, Chey, Trevor and Patience. He was pleased to welcome a great grandchild, Lillian Belle, though regretted deeply that Julia wasn't here to see her. His ear to ear smile when Lillian was close by was amazing. He was my father and it was my privilege to be there for him and call him dad. I take immense pride in the bond he shared with my wife Star...pals in a word. He will be missed and never truly be gone.

OBITUARY

Joseph R. Margraff Sr.

September 10, 1933 – March 29, 2026

Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary

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