1943
Earl
2010
Earl E. Graham
August 2, 1943 — May 28, 2010
EARL E. "SQUIRREL" GRAHAM, age 66, died at 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2010, in the Wesleyan Health & Rehabilitation Center in Marion, after being there only a few months.
He was born on August 2, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, to Elwin L. and Clarell Nadine (Skinner) Graham. He graduated Oak Hill High School, Class of 1961. He attended Marion College (IWU) and graduated Indiana Mortuary School in Indianapolis. Earl was employed at Diggs Funeral Home. David Devine, Devine Funeral Home, shared not only professionally but continued a friendship until David's death. However, with having a family, Earl felt he should return to General Motors where he was in his 41st. year; the first 25 years at the Marion GM plant and then the Lordstown Plant in Lordstown, Ohio for the past 15 years.
Earl was one of those guys who studied and shared in detail on the many topics of which he had an interest. Many referred to him as a "walking encyclopedia" due to his range of knowledge. He was an "encourager" to many. And, one could not miss his contagious smile and kind, sparkling blue eyes. Earl enjoyed singing Karaoke and was often a favorite with the crowds. He shared a strong resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. Following retirement, another dream he wanted to fulfill, but was unable to do so, was to portray and share about the "Life Of Abe Lincoln".
Survivors include, his parents, Elwin & Clarell Nadine Graham; wife, Kathy (Wooten) Graham; daughters, Michelle Graham of Tampa, Florida, and Bridget Koumandrakis of Flint, Michigan; sons, Andre' (Juanita) Graham of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Noah (Vendetta Reed) Koegel of Marion, Indiana; sisters, Janice "Jan" Brown of Marion, Indiana, and Jayne (Peter) Taylor-Lopez of Toronto, Canada; seven grandchildren, Rashelle, Brianna, Damion and Dyllyn Graham, Nikki and Alexis Diaz and Journey Koegel. As well as nieces and nephews, in Canada, Stephen (Shana) Taylor and Ladena (Oswald) Prithipaul, William and Austin; Amy (Bill) McVay, Ashley and Christopher, Moorhead, Minnesota; Arica (Michael) Carpenter, Rachel and Riley, McGrath, Alaska, Jordan (Genna Curtis) Carpenter and great nephew, Jordan Michael of Wasilla, Alaska. He was close to all of his family including stepchildren, Dawn (Sam) Rich, Tammy Quick, and Duaine (Tari) Deason and their children. A special bond was held between he and his step-grandson, A.J. Williams.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Prather in August 2009, grandson, Anthony Koumandrakis in Novermber 2009 and step-daughter, Shelly Williams in 2004.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, with the Chaplain Don Miller officiating.
Burial will be in Grant Memorial Park, Marion, Indiana.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 8 at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Memorial contributions can be made to New Hope Hospice, 730 W. 35th. Street, Marion, Indiana 46953; or First Church of the Nazarene, 700 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana 46952.
He was born on August 2, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, to Elwin L. and Clarell Nadine (Skinner) Graham. He graduated Oak Hill High School, Class of 1961. He attended Marion College (IWU) and graduated Indiana Mortuary School in Indianapolis. Earl was employed at Diggs Funeral Home. David Devine, Devine Funeral Home, shared not only professionally but continued a friendship until David's death. However, with having a family, Earl felt he should return to General Motors where he was in his 41st. year; the first 25 years at the Marion GM plant and then the Lordstown Plant in Lordstown, Ohio for the past 15 years.
Earl was one of those guys who studied and shared in detail on the many topics of which he had an interest. Many referred to him as a "walking encyclopedia" due to his range of knowledge. He was an "encourager" to many. And, one could not miss his contagious smile and kind, sparkling blue eyes. Earl enjoyed singing Karaoke and was often a favorite with the crowds. He shared a strong resemblance to Abraham Lincoln. Following retirement, another dream he wanted to fulfill, but was unable to do so, was to portray and share about the "Life Of Abe Lincoln".
Survivors include, his parents, Elwin & Clarell Nadine Graham; wife, Kathy (Wooten) Graham; daughters, Michelle Graham of Tampa, Florida, and Bridget Koumandrakis of Flint, Michigan; sons, Andre' (Juanita) Graham of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Noah (Vendetta Reed) Koegel of Marion, Indiana; sisters, Janice "Jan" Brown of Marion, Indiana, and Jayne (Peter) Taylor-Lopez of Toronto, Canada; seven grandchildren, Rashelle, Brianna, Damion and Dyllyn Graham, Nikki and Alexis Diaz and Journey Koegel. As well as nieces and nephews, in Canada, Stephen (Shana) Taylor and Ladena (Oswald) Prithipaul, William and Austin; Amy (Bill) McVay, Ashley and Christopher, Moorhead, Minnesota; Arica (Michael) Carpenter, Rachel and Riley, McGrath, Alaska, Jordan (Genna Curtis) Carpenter and great nephew, Jordan Michael of Wasilla, Alaska. He was close to all of his family including stepchildren, Dawn (Sam) Rich, Tammy Quick, and Duaine (Tari) Deason and their children. A special bond was held between he and his step-grandson, A.J. Williams.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffery Prather in August 2009, grandson, Anthony Koumandrakis in Novermber 2009 and step-daughter, Shelly Williams in 2004.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, with the Chaplain Don Miller officiating.
Burial will be in Grant Memorial Park, Marion, Indiana.
Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 8 at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Memorial contributions can be made to New Hope Hospice, 730 W. 35th. Street, Marion, Indiana 46953; or First Church of the Nazarene, 700 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana 46952.
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