Obituaries
Obituary: Karen McGraw
#1 Fan of her grandchildren and a woman who regularly treated friends as her family, Karen passes away at age 75.

Obituary was published and funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory.
Karen A. McGraw (nee Hermann)
Karen A. McGraw, age 75 of Channahon, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Ascension St. Joseph Medical Center with the love of her family by her side. She was born in Ottawa, IL, on May 8, 1948, the daughter of the late Harry and Dorothy (nee Stevens) Hermann. Karen was a graduate of Plainfield Central High School, with the Class of 1966. She retired after 20 dedicated years from the Will County Sheriff’s Department.
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If you knew Karen, you knew how selfless she was. Karen’s life as a grandmother was filled with attending all of her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities while enjoying every minute of it. When she wasn’t cheering on her grandchildren, she could be found with friends playing a round or two of card games. Karen spent her life putting others before herself and truly cherished the time she spent with her family, including the friends who became family.
Karen is survived by her son, Brent "Curly" (Tammy) McGraw; step-son, Michael McGraw; grandchildren, Cailee and Cayden McGraw; brother, Jeff (Laurie) Hermann; nephews, Brock and Chase Hermann; and her dear friends, Mary Breen, Trish Shawmeker, and Patty and Tommy Dempsey.
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She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald J. McGraw; her son, John Patrick; and her parents.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff of the CVICU Floor at St. Joseph Medical Center for the care, love and support they received.
A visitation for Karen A. McGraw will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024 at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will continue 9:15 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024 from the funeral home to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Donald.
For more information please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.