GRAVES, Dennis 1935-2012

GRAVES, VANDEEST, LONG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 8/26/2012 at 07:46:56

Dennis G. Graves, 77, of Dike, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo due to complications of diabetes. A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at the Orchard Hill Church at Lincoln Center in Grundy Center, IA. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 19, 2012 from 3 to 5 P.M. at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home Dike Chapel. Burial will follow funeral services at the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family where they will donate to the charity of their choice at a later date.

Dennis was born on August 7, 1935 in Lincoln Township, IA, the son of Henry & Gepka (Van Deest) Graves. He was raised in Lincoln Township and attended school in Dike, graduating from Dike High School with the class of 1953. After graduating, Dennis began work independently as a carpenter and continued doing so for most of his adult life. On December 19, 1957, Dennis was united in marriage to Beverly Ann Long at her parent's home in Grundy Center. Dennis and Bev lived in Dike for many years, welcoming 5 children into their family. In 1971, Dennis and his family made their home in rural Dike, the last home that Dennis built before retiring.

He was a lifelong member of the Lincoln Center Christian Reformed Church. Even though Dennis was a diabetic most of his life, that didn't stop Dennis from playing a sport he truly loved, fast-pitch softball. There was nothing he loved more than watching his children and grandchildren play sports. Dennis was a true family man and will be missed dearly by his entire family and all that knew and loved him.

Dennis is survived by his wife Beverly of Dike; children Doug (Kim) Graves of Hawaii, Brian Graves of San Angelo, TX, Kevin (Madelyn) Graves of Cedar Falls, IA, Dawn (Joel) Weber of Dike, IA and Darci Morgan of Dike, IA; 14 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson; brothers Raymond (Johanna) of Holland, MI & Lawrence (Dorothy) of Cedar Falls and sisters Irene Neuberger of Cedar Falls and Bev Tanis of Freeport, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Joe, Marvin & Harold Graves and sisters Leona Gronewald & Evelyn Bootsma.

--Abels Funeral Homes