Margaret S. "Sue" Grafe

Margaret S. “Sue” Grafe, age 78, a lifelong resident of Dover, passed away Monday, July 26, 2021, following a long illness.

Born November 11, 1942, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Phyllis Hammerstrom Espenschied. Sue graduated from Dover High School, and, on November 16, 1963, married Dewey R. Grafe who survives. She was employed by the Services & Utilities Office of the City of Dover, and was later the assistant secretary for Dover’s Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church where she was a member. Sue taught Sunday school at Grace for 35 years and served as children’s choir director. Later, she attended Salem Evans Creek Lutheran Church in Stone Creek. Additionally, Sue belonged to the Dover chapter of the Pythian Sisters.

She enjoyed the outdoors, which included boating, camping, fishing, as well as watching birds - including hummingbirds - and deer around her home. Sue also liked playing cards, knitting and doing needlework. She loved cheering on the Dover Tornadoes, Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns - she was a huge Bernie Kosar fan - and New York Yankees.

In addition to her husband Dewey, Sue is survived by her daughters, Cindy (Scott) Jerles and Beckie Grafe, both of Dover; her grandchildren, Cody Jerles, Ashley (R.J.) Graziul and Lindsey Jerles; her great-grandson, Tatum; and her sister Carol (Jerry) Hunt of Grove City, Ohio.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Jennifer Grafe.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, August 11, at 3 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover, with Pastor Cathy Ammlung officiating. There will be a private family burial in the Salem Evans Creek Church Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home Wednesday, one hour prior to the service.

The family suggests that contributions in Sue’s memory be made to Salem Evans Creek Lutheran Church, 9030 Deibel Rd. S.W., Stone Creek, Ohio 43840, or the Tuscarawas County Humane Society, 1432 Tall Timber Rd. N.E., New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.