Weller, Charles Grafton Jr.
Charles Grafton Weller Jr. “Graf” passed away peacefully in St. Louis, MO on May 3, 2019, at the age of 88. Graf was born in Aurora, IL on April 21, 1931, the last of three boys to Esther (nee Curtis) and Dr. Charles Grafton Weller Sr. He spent his early childhood during the Great Depression and World War II. Graf’s mother passed way when he was 5 years old and was raised by his stepmother Dorothy “Dot” Weller.
Graf attended Howe Military Academy in Howe, IN where he was Captain of the Varsity Track Team and Kenyon College in Gambier, OH. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1953, near the end of the Korean War, and was stationed in Cape Canaveral Florida at the outset of the US Space Program. His duties included calling out the countdown, and operating the post launch camera, for rocket launches in the launch control underground bunker.
Graf was a highly respected salesman who spent over 30 years selling medical diagnostic equipment. He eventually rose to the position of International Director of Sales and travelled the world in this capacity.
Graf met his beloved wife Mary Ellen Lloyd in Cocoa Beach, FL. They were married in Cocoa Beach on October 4, 1957, the date of the Russian Sputnik 1 satellite launch, and were married for over 61 years!
Their union resulted in three children, Charles Grafton (Kay) Weller III, Mark Lloyd (Laura) Weller and Joy Weller (Don) Thompson.
Graf was preceded in death by a grandson Matthew Weller, his parents, stepmother and his two brothers (David and Joel Weller).
He is survived by his wife Mary, his three children, eight grandchildren Tori Weller, Elizabeth, Jacob, Jillian and Molly Weller, Hannah (Jake) Allen, Amy and Sally Thompson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He left this world a better place!
Funeral service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Wednesday May 8 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Evelyn’s House or the charity of your choice appreciated. Kutis South County Service.