Junior Graves

When reflecting on the life of Junior Graves, it is clear to see that his focus was on others first and foremost. He was a hard worker, but still enjoyed life, and what made these experiences so extraordinary was sharing them with the ones he loved. Married to the love of his life for 64 years, Junior and his wife exemplified what marriage is truly intended to be as they were true companions who were also best friends. Although he accomplished great things, he was a humble man whose greatest source of pride and joy was found in his family. Although he will be deeply missed, Junior leaves behind a timeless legacy that his loved ones will proudly carry on.

Although the 1920s were prosperous times, the 1930s were a much different story as the entire decade was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and countless families lost their homes. It was just as this decade was getting started that Ernest E. and Evelyn B. (Stewart) Graves were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the heat of the summer held Wolf Lake, Indiana, firmly in its grip in July of 1930. The big day finally arrived on July 10th when the baby boy they named Junior drew his first breath in Noble County. He was one of three children to be raised in the family home not far from the lake alongside his brother, Earl, and his sister, Martha. With a love for the outdoors, Junior loved fishing and hunting. He attended local schools and left Wolf Lake High School during his junior year to take a job with General Electric.

Life soon grew very exciting for Junior when he met the young girl of his dreams. Her name was Geraldine Barker, and they met when he and a friend were in Columbia City and came upon her and her twin sister. Junior and his friend asked the two girls out on a date for the following night, leaving the girls wondering which boy to go with. Geraldine wanted to go with Junior, but the sisters agreed that whoever opened the door for each of them would be the one they went on a date with. As fate would have it, Junior was the one to open the door for Geraldine, and the rest is history as they say. Their love blossomed over the couple of years that followed, and by that time Junior knew that she was the one for him. He proposed, and on May 5, 1951, he married his sweetheart in Columbia City. Shortly thereafter, he received word that he was being drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Korean Conflict. As of June of 1951, Junior was officially in the military. While he was away, Geraldine lived with his parents.

While in the military, Junior served with the 45th Division/Thunderbird Division in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on March 12, 1953. During his time in the service, he also received his GED.

Reunited, Junior and Geraldine were eager to begin their lives together. By the late 1950s, the family moved from the Columbia City area to South Whitley. Together they were blessed with the births of three daughters, Brenda, Becky, and Kimberly, and one son, Rickie. To support his family, Junior worked at Gripco Fasteners in South Whitley for 38 years before retiring in 1992.

Throughout his life, Junior enjoyed so many things. In his free time he could often be found out golfing, and he also enjoyed traveling. With a young and growing family, they often took trips to the local lakes and beaches. With a love for family, Junior and his family made a point to attend their large family gatherings and their family reunions as well. He also enjoyed being with his friends, and he and Geraldine often played cards with a group of friends. At times, Junior and his wife traveled a bit further from home, but there was nothing he loved more than being with his family. In addition, he was a longtime and faithful member of South Whitley United Methodist Church.

Described as genuine, welcoming, and easygoing, Junior Graves was a blessing to everyone he met. In ways both great and small, he was generous beyond compare as he would help anyone and everyone in any way he could. A devoted husband and father, Junior was filled with unspeakable joy to witness his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he adored. Although he will be deeply missed, he will never be forgotten.

Junior Graves, 85, of South Whitley, Indiana, died at 7:13 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2015, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Juniors family includes his wife, Geraldine Graves; daughters, Brenda (Jerry) Shilling of Syracuse, Becky (Junior) Martin of Claypool and Kimberly (Scott) Brown of Pierceton; grandchildren, Andrea Greer of North Manchester, Jodi (Shon Little) Shilling of Winnetka, CA, Justin (Danielle) Shilling of Warsaw, Ryan Martin of Indianapolis, Trenton (April) Martin of Chicago, IL, Kaleb (Carli) Brown of Denver, CO and Kylee Brown of Sioux Falls, SD; and great-grandchildren, Lydia, Macy and Maddux Greer, Pixie Little, and Emma Shilling. Junior was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Graves and Evelyn Graves Newsome; brother, Earl Graves; sister, Martha E. Kessler; son, Rickie L. Graves; grandson, Kameron Brown; and great-granddaughter, Daisy Little.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday at the funeral home with Rev. Chris Stahlman officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery with military honors being rendered by the Whitley County Korean Veterans Honor Guard. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to South Whitley United Methodist Church or Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana. To send Juniors family condolences, visit www.demoneygrimes.com .