Holdgrafer, Maurice E.
HOLDGRAFER, DROSTE, SPORMANN, PRAY, HULING, JOSTEN
Posted By: Ruth Maring - VOLUNTEER
Date: 7/1/2010 at 19:19:48
Maurice E. Holdgrafer - 80
2/5/1930 - 6/15/2010Clinton - Maurice E. Holdgrafer died on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. He was 80 years of age.
Maurie was born on February 5, 1930, the son of Angeline (Droste) and Vincent Holdgrafer. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1948. He subsequently volunteered for the U.S. Marine Corps, attending basic training on Parris Island, South Carolina, before amphibious DUKW training at Camp Pendleton, California. As a 1st Marine Division DUKW driver, Maurie participated in the Inchon landing during the Korean War, ferried ammunition to combat Marines and evacuated their casualties during the Chosin Reservoir campaign. Following an Honorable Discharge, Maurie returned to Clinton where he lived for the remainder of his life.
He was united in marriage to Carol Ann Spormann on December 29, 1956, in St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Clinton. Prior to her death in 2002, Maurie and Carol followed Hawkeyes sports, especially the resurrection of the Hawkeye football program, attending home games and away games at Big Ten venues. As members of the Clinton Country Club, they played in many couple golf outings. Maurie also enjoyed playing golf regularly with his golfing buddies through this past summer, followed by a cold Miller Lite in the grill and lounge.
Maurie retired as a plumbing and heating contractor, having started Maurie’s Plumbing and Heating. His career began with Brick and Sons Plumbing and Heating following his military discharge. Even after he “retired,” Maurie continued to help friends with plumbing and heating problems.
Maurie enjoyed life and remained active until cancer overcame him in recent weeks. He supported his children in various activities, including his daughter with golf, and building a troop trailer for Troop 2 of the Boy Scouts. For several summers in the late 1970s, he sponsored a softball team that generally managed to lose more games than it won. Friends, as well as family, knew he was always willing to pitch in and help, despite his advancing age. At 73 years of age he helped his son re-wire a rental house and was always there to provide advice on plumbing and heating matters. Maurie also had a number of ongoing projects going on at any time around his house when he wasn’t working on his yard, gardens or waterscape. The project he took the most pride from was a backyard gazebo where he could entertain family and friends, or quietly read the morning newspaper while enjoying a cup of coffee.
Maurie loved fine wines and meals, and enjoyed socializing with his many friends. In recent years, he re-ignited a passion for coin collecting, obtaining state quarters and other coins he collected and presenting these to his grandchildren, great grandchildren, grand nephews and grand nieces.
Maurie is survived by a brother, William Holdgrafer and his wife, Marge of South Carolina; his daughter, Tracy Pray, and her two daughters, Heather Huling and Teresa Pray; a son, Michael E. Holdgrafer and his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Nicole and Natalie, all of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two great grandchildren, Tayte and Kendylle of Clinton; and cousins, nephews and nieces; and grand nieces and grand nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Paul Holdgrafer; sister, Beatrice Josten; and his wife, Carol.
Visitation will be conducted from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Pape Funeral Home on Friday, June 18th. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Prince of Peace Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19th. Casket bearers will be Carl Josten, David Wagemester, Ray DeVoe, Kyle Spormann, David Holdgrafer, Mark Holdgrafer, Maly Harding, Hank Dihlmann, Ryan Puzzietello and Don Putman. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing or donate on-line at www.dav.org. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com
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