Edgar H. "Gary" Graeber, Jr.

Edgar H. (Gary) Graeber Jr., 79 of West Chester, PA passed away Wednesday April 9, 2025, at Chester County Hospital in West Chester. He was surrounded by family and took his last breaths with ease and comfort joining everlasting life.  

Born January 22, 1946, in Shamokin, PA, he was the son of Edgar H. Graeber Sr. and Mary LaRue Stank Graeber. He was the loving husband of Sarah A. (Sally) Hayes Graeber, whom he was happily married to for almost 53 years. 

Gary was born and raised in Shamokin where he graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School. There he learned the foundations for a wonderful life with a loving family and greatgroup of friends. Gary later moved to California with his older brother where he attended college. 

After returning to the East Coast Gary moved to Devon, PA and began his sales career. He was a dermatological sales representative for 35 years and received numerous awards for his outstanding performance. 

Gary and Sally met at the Peacock Inn in King of Prussia and three weeks later Gary asked for her hand in marriage. They were married six months later and built a beautiful life together, growing their family to five with the birth of three daughters whom they spoiled and loved beyond words.

Gary learned to hunt and fish from his father who taught him the pleasures of being outdoors. He continued to hunt and fish well into his 70s. He also enjoyed the Eastern shore of Maryland, andwas an avid boater and fisherman. After retirement, he and his brother-in-law, Emmett Hayes, who were experienced target shooters, met weekly to enjoy their shared hobby. 

Gary is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife Sally, his devoted daughters Jennifer (Michael) Wilson, Lauren (B-), and Jillian, proud Pop-Pop to his grandson, Finn Wilson, and doting brother to his youngest sister Dede (George) DiRienzi. He also survived by sisters-in-law Pat, Bev, and Carol and brothers-in-law George and Larry, along with many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Edgar and Mary LaRue, his brother Nick, sister Mary Frances, and brothers-in-law Jerry and Emmett Hayes.

In the words of a family friend, Gary was “one of the funniest guys I ever met. Had a great life, a great wife, daughters who worshipped him. As much as a man can ask for.”  

Relatives and friends are invited to his celebrate Gary’s life on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Visitation will be from 10:00-10:45 am, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00. Both will be held at DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 North Church Street West Chester, PA.  

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in Gary’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or (800) 822-6344.