Obituary of Dorothy Gratton

Dorothy Gratton, 89, of Howell passed away Monday, July 13th, at home. Dorothy was born in Linden, NJ and moved to Millstone at the age of 16. She married Jim Gratton and eventually moved to Howell where she resided for over 66 years. Dorothy was a graduate of Freehold Boro High School class of 1954. She was very involved in the Howell Township community. She was a longtime member of the Howell Historical Society. Dorothy was very dedicated to volunteering in many capacities in Howell. One of her favorites was conducting classes at the Old School House for the children. Dorothy was an avid crafter. You never saw her without a knitting needle or crochet hook in her hands. She loved teaching her crafts to everyone, especially quilting at fairs and craft shows. Together with her husband, Jim they ran Gratton Bus Service for many years. Dorothy is predeceased by her parents, Helen and George Benkert; her husband, Jim Gratton and her daughter-in-law, Debbie Kieffer-Gratton. She is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Gratton; sons, Bob Gratton and his wife, Lorrie and Bill Gratton; grandchildren, Olga Kieffer and her fiancée, Erik Scully, Amanda and her husband, Brian Travinski, Kelly and her husband, Dan Daly; and great grandchildren, Kylie, Bennett, Luke, Jackson, Kaylee, Brooke and Tommy. A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Friday, July 17, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in St. Anne's Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall Township. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Dorothy's name may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com .