Ralph L. Graham

Ralph L. Graham, 84, of Kankakee, passed away February 19, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ. He was born December 7, 1931 in Chicago, IL, to J. Raymond and Gertrude M. (Minuth) Graham. He married Jeanne M. Begnoche on June 5, 1971, in Kankakee. She preceded him in death on March 14, 2014. Ralph was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in the territory of Anchorage, AK and also serving in the Korean War. He attended the University of Illinois and Western Illinois University, graduating with a 4 year degree in Agricultural Science. Ralph retired from the Illinois Veterans’ Home in Manteno. He also had worked at Gould Battery for several years. He held supervisory positions all his life. He was a member of the Kankakee County Planning Commission. While “snowbirding” in Phoenix, AZ at a senior residence, Ralph volunteered as chief pancake maker and was said to be the best at it. He was raised as a Presbyterian, although he listened to a lot of Joel Osteen ministries. Ralph enjoyed bowling, woodworking, golf, playing the dice game “10,000” every night after supper, and was a constant reader with Louis L’Amour being his favorite author. He loved doing crossword puzzles and would do the one in the Daily Journal first and then others wherever he could find them. Ralph is survived by three daughters, Linda & Jeff Woods, of Phoenix, AZ, Ethel Guynn, of Phoenix, AZ, and Kay Graham, of Chicago; one stepdaughter, Carol Friend, of Frankfort; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Pamela Graham, of Grand Junction, MI, and Sandra & Ron Shear, of Cherokee Village, AR; 10 grandchildren, Brian & Danny Friend, Jerilyn & Kendra Jones, Mike & Brian Wilken, Andy Guynn, and Matrell, Lewis, & Eric Altman; 9 great grandchildren, Samantha, Parker, Hannah, Connor, Zane, Mackenzie, Gabrielle, Ariel, and Saige; and “special daughter,” Peggy Woodard, of Kankakee. He is preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one brother, Warren; one daughter, Denise West; and one “special son,” Chuck Woodard. Memorial visitation will be held Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 1:00 PM until the 3:00 PM memorial service at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee. Rev. Rick Sexton will officiate. Inurnment will take place Monday, April 18, 2016 at 10:00 AM at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.

Ralph L. Graham

December 7, 1931 - February 19, 2016