Francis Merl Graves

Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 10 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vandalia, Missouri.
Officiating will be: Father Russell Judge.
Music provided by: Sacred Heart Choir.
Interment will be in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Vandalia, Missouri.
Pallbearers: Derrick Reading, Brady Reading, Lucas Graves, Jarad Dieker, Kerri Nitcher and Sarah Graves. Honorary pallbearers were Michelle Graves, Melissa Graves, Elizabeth Graves, Shannon Dieker, Jennifer Graves and Ronni Graves.

Francis Merl Graves passed away at 7 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2004 at the Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Missouri. Merl grew up in the rural Center area and farmed for several years in Cannon Dam area. He went to work at CE Refractories near Farber in 1948 and retired in May, 1985. Merl had several positions but prior to retirement was a transfer operator in the press room. He also worked part-time as a plumber in the area after his job at the plant. Merl and Virginia were members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Vandalia and he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and being with his family.

Born: August 31, 1925 in rural Center, Missouri the son of Ollie Ray and Lola B. (Long) Graves.

Married: A. Virginia Hager on October 6, 1945 at the Catholic Church in Perry, Missouri; she survives at the home.

Survivors include: wife, Virginia of Farber; four sons, Gene and wife, Barbara Graves of Laddonia; Jim and wife, Judy Graves of Mexico; Dale and wife, Marla Graves of Mexico and Joe Graves of Moberly; two daughters, Kay and husband, Eldon Reading of Curryville; Sharon and husband, Brent Dieker of Quincy, Illinois; one brother, Ralph Graves of Farber and one half-brother, Glen Leake of Vandalia; two sisters, Helen Griffith of Vandalia and Jo Moss of Vandalia; one half-sister, Nellie Lent of Vandalia; twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: two brothers, Bill and J. R. Graves and two half-brothers, Lloyd and Marceille Leake; one sister, Alice Kuda and one half-sister, Eva Foster; one great-grandson, John Bryant Reading.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.