GRAHAM, Merle B.: Died 1987

GRAHAM, SMITH, WALLACE, GREENHALGH, MCSPAREN, PADEN

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/10/2023 at 05:35:57

18 May 1987
Gate City

Merle B. Graham

Merle B. Graham, 76, of Kahoka, Mo., died at 9:50 p.m. Saturday, May 16,at Keokuk Area Hospital.

He was born Aug. 23, 1910, in Lee County, the son of George and Lucinda Smith Graham. He married Ethel V. Wallace on June 27, 1932, in Kahoka.

He had lived in the Revere area until 1937 when he moved to Kahoka. He was a barber in Kahoka and Revere for 17 years; a city letter carrier for six years; a probate officer in Clark County; and was the County Clerk of Clark County for 16 years.

He was a member of the Sharon Church until 1965 when he joined St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka. He transferred his membership back to the Sharon Church in 1985.

He was also a member of Hiram Lodge 362, A.F. & A.M.; Kahoka Chapter 126, R.A.M.; Kirksville Council 44, Crypic Masons; Knights Templar 41, Memphis Commandry; and Moila Temple, St. Joseph, Mo.

He received an honorary degree from the Missouri Order of High Priesthood, served in the Masonic fraternity as district grand lecturer for over 25 years, served as local Red Cross representative for 25 years, and was a member of the Men's Fellowship of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka.

Survivors include his wife; daughter Mrs. Betty Greenhalgh of St. Paul, Minn. and Mrs. Judith McSparen of Tucson, Ariz.; brother Roy of Farmington; sister Mrs. Ada Paden of Kahoka; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by five sisters and three brothers.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with the Rev. Kenneth Hardin officiating. Burial will be in the Sharon Cemetery, rural Farmington.

Visitation will be after 9 a.m. today with the family meeting friends from 7-9 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Clark County Cancer Fund and the American Cancer Society.

Source: "Scrapbook 1986 - 1988", Pg. 363,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA