GRAVES, Joe T. 1913-2005

GRAVES, DEBERG, BAKKER

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 5/11/2015 at 09:05:16

Joe T. Graves, 91, of Grundy Center, died from natural causes on Friday, November 11, 2005 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Grundy Center, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 2:30 PM, Monday, November 14, 2005 at the Lincoln Center Christian Reformed Church, in rural Grundy Center, Iowa with Pastor Matt Ooms officiating. Burial will follow at Lincoln Township Cemetery in rural Grundy Center. The family will be greeting friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center and also one hour prior to the service at the church.

Joe was born December 9, 1913 on a farm near Lincoln Center, in Grundy County Iowa, son of Henry and Ora (DeBerg) Graves. He attended country school in Lincoln Township, and also the Dike elementary. On October 22, 1936, he was united in marriage to Elsie Bakker at her Parents home in Lincoln Township, Grundy County, Iowa. Elsie passed away January 14, 1996. Joe farmed in Black Hawk and Grundy Counties from 1936 until 1980, when they retired and moved to Grundy Center. Joe was a lifetime member of the Lincoln Center Christian Reformed Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years. He also served as an elder and was a Synod Delegate twice. He served on the Dike School Board for many years. Joe was always ready to go on a fishing trip or enjoy a vacation to various locations, including excursions to the kids.

He is survived by his daughter: Eleanor and husband Willis Groenendyk of Oskaloosa, Iowa; son: Wayne and wife Martha Graves of Dike, Iowa; daughter: Margene and husband Dennis Eekhoff of Orange City, Iowa; 16 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren; a brother: Rev. Raymond and wife Johanna Graves of Holland, Michigan; sister: Irene Neuberger of Cedar Falls, Iowa; a brother; Lawrence and wife Dorothy Graves of Dike, Iowa; a brother: Dennis and wife Beverly Graves of Dike, Iowa; a sister: Evelyn and husband Garrold Bootsma of Sibley, Iowa; and a sister: Beverly Tanis of Freeport, Illinois; 3 sisters in law: Beulah Graves of Dike, Iowa, Jennie Bakker of Dike, Iowa, and Gladys Bakker of Grundy Center, Iowa; and a brother in law: Rev. Paul and wife Marge Bakker of Orange City, Iowa.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Henry and Ora Graves, a step mother: Gepka Graves; a brother: Marvin Graves; a sister Leona Gronewold; and a brother: Harold Graves.

--Abels Funeral Homes (www.abelsfuneralhomes.com)