Horace P. Graves
January 20, 1926 — October 1, 2017
Horace Philip Graves Sr., son of Guy William and Gertrude Cecelia (Sahl) Graves, was born January 20, 1926, on a farm near Harlan, Iowa, where he grew up the youngest son with three older sisters. He attended grade school at Center Township Country School then graduated from Harlan High School.
On November 27, 1949, Horace was united in marriage to the love of his life, Leona "Pretty One" Bea Sandage at Merrill's Grove Church in Fiscus, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Janet 1951, Lauree 1953, Rachel 1956, Horace Philip Jr. 1960, Paul 1964, and John 1966. After their marriage Horace was a hard-working farmer on the farm his grandfather homesteaded. He retired from farming in 1985. Beginning in 1988, he raised ostriches for several years. He also delivered packages for the Post Office.
Horace loved teaching his children about Jesus and the Bible, and to memorize scripture. He often played indoor and outdoor games with them, and took them hunting while demonstrating the importance of gun safety. He enjoyed playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the end. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa.
Horace enjoyed sharing about the Bible and how to have salvation and follow after God with salesmen and everyone else who came to the house. He brought recovering alcoholics to his farm from the Open Door Mission to help them transition into a productive lifestyle. He had daily Bible studies with them so they could hear the gospel.
Horace died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 1, 2017, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of ninety-one years, eight months and eleven days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son John Graves, sisters Ella McKenzie, Ruth Olson, Alice Willoughby.
He is survived by his wife Leona Graves of Harlan, Iowa; children Janet and her husband Byron Linden of Moville, Iowa; Lauree and her husband John James of Perkins, Oklahoma; Rachel and her husband Kurt Vollers of Central City, Nebraska; Philip Graves and his wife Janet of Bovill, Idaho; Paul Graves and his wife Harriet of Lowell, Michigan; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
On November 27, 1949, Horace was united in marriage to the love of his life, Leona "Pretty One" Bea Sandage at Merrill's Grove Church in Fiscus, Iowa. Six children were born to this union: Janet 1951, Lauree 1953, Rachel 1956, Horace Philip Jr. 1960, Paul 1964, and John 1966. After their marriage Horace was a hard-working farmer on the farm his grandfather homesteaded. He retired from farming in 1985. Beginning in 1988, he raised ostriches for several years. He also delivered packages for the Post Office.
Horace loved teaching his children about Jesus and the Bible, and to memorize scripture. He often played indoor and outdoor games with them, and took them hunting while demonstrating the importance of gun safety. He enjoyed playing with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to the end. He was a loving, caring husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa.
Horace enjoyed sharing about the Bible and how to have salvation and follow after God with salesmen and everyone else who came to the house. He brought recovering alcoholics to his farm from the Open Door Mission to help them transition into a productive lifestyle. He had daily Bible studies with them so they could hear the gospel.
Horace died peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 1, 2017, at Elm Crest Retirement Community in Harlan, Iowa, attaining the age of ninety-one years, eight months and eleven days. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son John Graves, sisters Ella McKenzie, Ruth Olson, Alice Willoughby.
He is survived by his wife Leona Graves of Harlan, Iowa; children Janet and her husband Byron Linden of Moville, Iowa; Lauree and her husband John James of Perkins, Oklahoma; Rachel and her husband Kurt Vollers of Central City, Nebraska; Philip Graves and his wife Janet of Bovill, Idaho; Paul Graves and his wife Harriet of Lowell, Michigan; 17 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other family members and many friends.
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