Ervin Phillip "Corky" Graef passed away Saturday, February 8, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in St. Louis. He was 92. Corky was born September 14, 1921, near Urich, Missouri, the third son of Albert and Inez Long Graef. He became a member of the Urich Presbyterian Church (now Evangel Presbyterian Church) in 1939. He graduated from Urich High School in 1941. He worked in the Brooklyn Navy Yard for about a year before being drafted and joining the Army Air Corp in 1943. He flew 34 missions over France and Germany as an Flight Engineer until the end of World War II. After his honorable discharge and a year working in California, he returned to Urich to work in his father's blacksmith shop. On March 5, 1949, Corky married Miss Irene Korth of Clinton, Missouri, in Kansas City. To this union were born two children - a son, Stephen Phillip, and a daughter, Marsha Ann. Corky worked on the gymnasium addition to the Urich School and, through those contacts, began working as a carpenter in Kansas City, which turned into a 35 year career with three major construction contractors in the Kansas City area. Corky was a Scoutmaster for Urich Troop 434, a past member of the Urich Lion's Club, a member of the Ingham-Morgan Post of the American Legion in Urich, a member of Carpenter's Union 67 in Harrisonville, a Lay Preacher, and an active member of the Urich Interfaith Church Council. He was a 32nd Degree KCCH Life member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Kansas City, Orient of Missouri Valley, and a 1989 Honourman in the Knight Commander Court of Honor. He was Man of the Year of the Urich Reunion in 2002 and Grand Marshall with his wife in 2001. The Scout Hut he designed and built in the Urich City Park bears his name for his work and support of the City of Urich for over 80 years. Corky was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Inez, and his two brothers, William Frank "Major" and James Lee, and their wives. He is survived by his wife, Irene, now of St. Louis, his son Steve and his partner David, also of St. Louis, and his daughter Marsha of Lewiston, Maine. Services will be held on Saturday, February 15, at Vansant Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri, at 1:30pm with visitation beginning at 11:00am also at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Missouri Veteran's Homes, the Shriner's Hospital for Children, or the Alzheimer's Association. Fond memories and condolences may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.