Ronald Edward Graves passed away at age 87, July 20, 2019, at the VA Hospice Care Center in Tomah WI. He was born Dec. 4, 1931, in Levant Maine to Irving Graves and Blanche Longbottom (Graves). After his mother’s death, Ron went to foster care when he was three then eventually went to live with his sister Mag until he completed eighth grade. He was then taken to Wisconsin to work on his sister Pearl’s farm until he was inducted into the Army August 25, 1955. He was transferred to Ft. Ladd Army Airfield in Fairbanks Alaska as a Wheeled Mechanic and Honorably discharged Aug 14, 1957. Ron married Janice Hoke in the fall of 1957 and had four children. They were divorced in July 1976. Ron worked at Holmes Tire in Madison for 20 years then was employed at Madison Pre-Hung Doors for over 26 years. He retired in 2002. Ron met Darlene Swisher (Elder) in 1980 and they married on Dec. 23, 1982. She had four children. Ron liked training horses, motorcycle riding, his ATV, tinkering with small engines, horseshoes, taking care of his yard and fishing trips with his boys and friends. Ron loved his children, stepchildren and his grandchildren respectively, unconditionally and equally. Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years and her children Nellene (Rick), Kay (John), Chris (Bob) and Matt (Noelle); his first wife and their children Julie (Mike), (Laura), Greg (Traci) and Jill (Ken), 22 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Blanche, his siblings Hazel, Helen, Harry, Marguerite Pearl, Bill, Charles, Clyde and Dale, his son Jeff and his grandson Kristopher.
Memorial services with military honors will be 12:00 Noon on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Darlene I don’t know if you remember me or not, Carol Crotty, my husband Douglas was Ron’s roommate way back in time, we met the last time I remember was when Jeff and Greg were playing in the band and we went to watch them and 1980, I am sorry to hear about Ron’s passing, last I knew he moved up north and was working part time at prehung Doors, I know we lost touch. I saw the obituary in the Oregon Observer unfortunately I couldn’t make it to friendship that day. I have so many good memories of the time we spent together.
Aunt Darlene & Family, we wanted to tell again how sad we are we could not make it for Uncle Ron’s service today. We are there with you in Spirit! We loved him and will cherish all the memories we have of him. We are praying for God’s love and comfort to surround you. Much Love!!!!
Darlene, Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. May your memories keep Ron’s spirit with you.
We are so sorry for your loss Sister Darlene. You truly had a wonderful husband & friend. We will miss him a great deal and we are praying that God will comfort you, your family & friends.
Dear Darlene and all of his family whom Ron loved, We hope our deepest sympathies help in some small measure to ease the pain of such a loss. No doubt a man who has given many wonderful memories and made our lives fuller in his ways toward us. We will never forget all he has done for us. We thank God for him.
Laura, so sorry to hear of the loss of your father in law. Sorry I never got a chance to meet him but from the obituary, he sounds like a wonderful man. So much loss in a short time. May God keep you, Ed & Eric strong during this difficult time. I’ll never forget Jeff & what a great friend & co worker he was to me as well.
To the Graves family: So sorry for your loss, Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. He truly touched everyone’s life he was around and was a wonderful person. May God help you through this difficult time.
Thinking of you, Laura. Too much loss in such a short time. Prayers. Chris Wagner
Dear Aunt Darlene and Family, So sorry to hear of Uncle Ron’s passing! We loved him so much and cherish the times and memories we got to share with him! We are praying for God’s comfort for all of you! Much love and prayers!❤❤❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Dear Aunt Darlene and Family, Si sorry to hear of Uncle Ron’s passing! We loved him so much and cherishe the times and memories we got to share with him! We are praying for God’s comfort for all of you! Much love and prayers!❤❤❤🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Graves Family – my deepest sympathy to all on Ron’s passing. Yes he is again reunited with family in Heaven – his son Jeff greeting him on his journey. Very loving father and grandfather.
Dear Laura and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Jeff and his dad are in heaven looking down on you all. Thinking of you.
Joanne, Duane and family.
Darlene, so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Sending our sympathy to you & your family.
Darlene I am so sorry for your loss I send god’s love and my prayers out to you and your hole family God bless you
Darlene I’m so sorry to hear that Ron has passed away!!! No more pain!!! Rest easy Ron!