Jay C. Grawe
Jay C. Grawe, age 77, of Quincy, died on Sunday, June 30, 2024 in his home. He was born on September 20, 1946 in Quincy, the son of Charles F. ‘Charlie’ and Henrietta F. (Helbig) Grawe. He married Nancy Jeanne ‘Nan’ Weiler on July 13, 1968. She preceded him in death on October 1, 2018.
Jay started at St. Francis grade school as a child. He then attended Christian Brothers High School graduating in 1964. After high school Jay attended Benedictine College graduating in 1968. Jay then married Nancy Weiler on July 13, 1968.
Jay worked as an Insurance Agent for over 40 years. He started his career at Gene Grawe Insurance, then worked at Timpe Insurance before finishing his career with Cason Huff & Schlueter.
Jay had a huge devotion for the Catholic faith. He loved attending and helping at St. Peters Church. He was a member of Quincy Cursillo for over 30 years. An extremely proud moment in the Cursillo was being a Rector for #175 and serving as the Lay Director for many years.
For many years, Jay was also an active mentor for engaged couples in the Marriage Encounter Program. Some of Jay’s favorite moments were attending his grandchildren’s activities, including baseball, basketball, and numerous concerts. Jay was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Chicago Blackhawks fan. He was able to see all three of his teams win championships in his life. Jay loved coaching football for the Jets at the YMCA in Quincy for many years. Jay also loved bowling and golfing with his family and friends. Jay also loved to fish with his kids using his father Charlie’s bamboo poles.
Following retirement, Jay started to travel and he loved to visit Florida for months at a time. His traveling included Hawaii, the Tennessee Mountains and Branson Missouri.
After Nan passed away in 2018, he became very special friends with Kathy Ellerbrock. They bonded over their shared grievances of their late spouses. As they continued to grow with their relationship, they were travel companions and became dear friends with each other. Kathy started to grow as a family member with all three of the Grawe boys and their families.
Lastly, Jay was a person that didn’t need to be placed into your life to understand his purpose, he was a great person that everyone enjoyed. Jay is at his final resting spot, at peace, with his soulmate Nan. They are both smiling and showing their devotion to God the almighty Father. We all know Jay is smoking a cigar with a glass of Drambuie and smiling down on us with Nan.
Jay is survived by:
THREE SONS: Jeff Grawe and his fiancé Laura Bliven; Tony Grawe and his wife Sarah and Jim Grawe and his wife Alysia all of Quincy.
GRANDCHILDREN: Jake (Melissa) Bliven; Nick (Madison Cooper) Bliven, Leah (Gabriel) VanderMaiden, Jake Houston, Lucy Grawe, Alexis (Noah) Dietrich, Daxton Allen, Jennifer Allen, Avery (Jared Hudnut) Grawe and J.D. Grawe.
GREAT GRANDCHILD: Izabella, Jaxson and Aria.
JAY’S SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Kathy Ellerbrock of Quincy
SIBLINGS: Jack Grawe (Kerri), Don Grawe (Robin) and Chuck Grawe (Mayra).
Numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive.
In addition to his wife, Jay was also preceded in death by his parents and a brother Charlie Grawe in infancy.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM in Duker & Haugh Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 in St. Peter Catholic Church. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2024 from 3:00 PM until 6:00 PM at St. Peter Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com
Oh, it hurts to lose a good friend! Jay was loved by all and left his “magic touch” on all those that he came in contact with. We will all miss him. He was a true Christian gentleman.
Our condolences to Jeff, Tony and Jimmy and the family members. We know that he is resting in peace and enjoying his new life with Nan!
We love you, Jay!
Mike and Barb Hutmacher
Jay was a very good man who will be missed. He had a big heart and genuinely wanted to help people!
Jay was one of the best. He was in my graduating class & a dear friend. We started with Jay as our insurance guy from Grawe, then Timpe, & on to Cason when we moved to Chicago. We could always trust Jay. I still remember the insurance co. Phone # … it was in the shape of the cross! Jay & I would always laugh about that. Like I’d pray our insurance wouldn’t raise. He & Nan were great role models for Marriage Encounter & we worked with them on a # of weekends & info nights. I will miss his smile & when he’d say ,” hey Reets.” I’m sure Nan was there to greet him. Give John a hug from me. To his sons & family, you were the biggest joys of their lives. Jay & Nan were the best parents. They always bragged about you. I’m sure you have many fond memories. My prayers & sympathy in the loss of your dad & grandpa.
I will never forget playing YMCA football for Jay on the Jets. He was a great man and great coach. My condolences to the family. Rest in peace Jay and may God wrap his loving arms around you and your lo Ed ones.
Jay was a wonderful Classmate and friend. You will be missed my friend.
Class Act.. Played golf with Jay and his Hybrid clubs he hated… Still makes me laugh. He was genuine..Such a good man .. I’ll admit… I cried a little…Peace my Friend..
Jay was a good man- Kind and caring and always brought sunshine to your day! Always brought a smile to my face. He was love by many and will be missed! Hugs for you Tony and Sarah – and all the family.
The world won’t be as bright without Jay in it. He was always a pleasure to talk to when I called about insurance needs. His compliments always made me smile. Peace and comfort to his family 🙏🙏
What a loss! Of course my kids remember him and Nan as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. They were perfect for the parts. Jay was the kind of man that once he walked into the room one immediately smiled. Funny. Honest. Caring for people. Great insurance agent. Quincy was lucky to have him and he touched so many lives. We would see him at Mass and after Mass. As Mike said he was a true Christian and genuine! What you saw is what was him. OUr prayers go out to Jeff, Jimmy , Tony and Kathy too. God bless the Grawe family!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike McClain
Jay was a rock in the lives of so many. My deepest condolences to the family.
I’ll miss seeing Jay at family events. Thankful to have shared our grandaughter, Lucy, with him. Wonderful guy!
Jay will truly be missed. His smile and laughter and the way he greeted so many of us with his “Hello Sunshine” are all some things that we will never forget about Jay. I know that Nan was standing at heavens gate to greet him when he arrived. Condolences to his kids and grandkids and to Kathy. My sympathies.
Jeff, Tony, and Jimmy,
I am so sorry to hear this news. I can vividly remember so many conversations with your dad–in the school hallways–at 100’s of games–and wherever we might meet in Quincy. He LOVED your mom and all of you. I will pray that God gives you the strength you need in the days ahead and that HE will fill your hearts with the great memories you created, and shared, with your father. God Bless.
So sorry to hear of Jay’s passing !Good friend! Please accept my deepest sympathy ! Always enjoyed seeing Jay at Charlie Vogel’s Hog Fry ! Prayers !
Jay was truly an awesome Christian man that I greatly admired. I loved to hear him say “hello sunshine”. He will be deeply missed!!!
May Nan and Jay enjoy everlasting joy and happiness
Mary Courty
So sorry for your loss. As others said he was a great Christian man. Always enjoyed talking with him. Prayers for all.
My deepest condolences to the family of Jay. Jay was a very sincere person who expressed kindness to everyone. I remember being at parties with Jay and Nan through the very early years of his career in the insurance industry. Nan and Jay were as happy as two people could be. They will renew that Grawe happiness that they enjoyed. GOD BLESS
Jay and Nan were both amazing people, Jay was a year ahead of me in school. He was always good natured and happy. One of my best memories of them was during a dinner one night with them, Nan got up to leave the room. When asked why she was leaving she said “The menu says leave room for pie.” We still laugh about that night with 2 incredible people. God bless.
I went to school with Jay at St. Francis and Christian Brothers and he was a true, genuine friend that always made you smile. God bless!
Grawe Guys- My heart hurts for all of you! Your dad was such a ray of sunshine and it goes all the way back to the 8th grade St. Peters trip to Washington DC. He made a lasting impression on me to always see the cup half full and with a little sunshine, anything is possible. He is definitely in his happy place now.
He was also instrumental in giving Bill a chance to lead QND football. He believed in that 23 year old and we are both blessed to have had him in our lives.
We are keeping you and your families in our prayers.