Darrel Dean Graffis, age 89, most recently of Kalamazoo, MI and a long-time resident of Scotts, MI died peacefully on August 4, 2026. Darrel was born May 7, 1937, to Homer and Lucile Graffis (Deaton) in Kosciusko County, IN where he grew up on a farm. He earned letters in baseball, basketball and track at Chester High School and attended International Business College in Ft. Wayne, IN where he began dating Janet L. Crowel, who would become his wife of the past 69 years.

Darrel worked in Indiana at General Motors plants before transferring to Kalamazoo, MI when the new Fisher Body GM plant was built. He retired from GM and took a retirement job delivering motor homes for Coachman. This allowed Darrel and Jan to travel the country. Darrel said he delivered motor homes to 48 states. Darrel and Jan lived for 50 years on Long Lake and Darrel enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting and playing cards with their neighbors. Darrel was also involved in the Vicksburg Little League and he and Jan were regular attendees at their kids’ school activities and events. Darrel and Jan were long time members of Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg, and Darrel had a quiet faith, generous spirit, and strong morals.

Until recent years, Darrel and Jan enjoyed snow-birding at their condo in Bradenton Beach, FL where Darrel loved participating in the senior softball leagues, often playing several days a week. Darrel was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and his last trip to Wrigley Field was in September 2016, as the Cubs were closing in on a World Series championship. Darrel and Jan loved hosting family, and their house was often the site of large family gatherings. He loved his kids and grandchildren.

Darrel is survived by his wife Janet of Kalamazoo, MI, his younger brother, Dallas (Alice) Graffis of Ft. Wayne, IN, his son, Terry (Gloria) Graffis of Lorain, OH, and daughter, Shari (Steve) Curtiss, of Portage, MI. Darrel has four grandchildren; Erin (Corey) McLaughlin of Columbus, OH, Brian Graffis of Parma Heights, OH, Mitchell Curtiss of Kalamazoo, MI and Cole (Josie) Curtiss-Fuentes of Wheaton, IL.