Ronald Peter Graves
(August 19, 1941 - November 18, 2006)
 

Ronald “Ron” Peter Graves, age 65, of St. Nicholas Lane, Christmas, Michigan died following a brief illness on Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 4:10 p.m. at the Tendercare Health Center in Munising where he had been a patient for one day. Ron was born on August 19, 1941 in Shingleton, Michigan to the late Raymond and Mercy (Williams) Graves. He attended school in Shingleton and Munising. On September 17, 1960, Ron married Marilynn Matson and they had five children together. She preceded him in death in 1985. Ron worked in the woods all of his life and he truly enjoyed his work. He worked primarily with his brothers, but most recently with his son, Mike Graves Logging. He married Deborah Larson in 1994. Ron was a member of the Moose Lodge for many years and the Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, family get-togethers, outdoor cookouts, and Green Bay Packers Football.

Ron is survived by five children – Ron (Shannon Carr) Graves of Gwinn, Mike (Holly) Graves of Twin Lakes, Steve (Rita Mannisto) Graves of Christmas, Sue (Bill) Wright of Munising, and Michelle (Mark Petovello) Graves of Trenary; grandchildren – Tonya, Stephanie, Mallery, and Kevin Graves, Jody Graves, Kayla Albright, Mikey and Cheyenne Graves, Amanda and Kyle Graves, Brody Wright, Miranda and Mirissa Eiseman, and Meriah Cromell; great-grandchildren – Tyler, Christian, Jolynn, Riley, Keagan, and C.J. Jr.; Deborah and her sons Billy (Angel) and Bobby Larson and grandchildren Desiree and Cole; brothers – Roy (Jean) Graves, Bob (Hilda) Graves, Joe (Ida) Graves all of Shingleton, Ron’s twin Don (Judy) Graves of 16 Mile Lake; sisters – May (Leo) Anecki of Florida, Mary (Larry) Sanders of Pontiac, Vivian “Vi” (Art) Normand of Munising, Leona (Harry) Kroupa of Munising, Patty (Harlon) Buckman of Grand Rapids; sisters-in-law – Stella Graves and Anne Graves both of Munising; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his and Janelle’s (Leiphart) son, Gideon Graves in 1992; grandson Devin Albright; brothers Ed, Rich and infant Raymond; sisters Mercy “Mert” Cousineau, Irene Brock, Eva Robare, and Ida Mischek; and nephews – Steve and Tim Graves and Art Normand, Jr.

Visitation will be held at the Bowerman Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. Pastor Jason LaFlamme and Rev. John Arbogast will conduct Ron’s funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2006 at the Munising Baptist Church in Wetmore. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in Munising. Escorts and honorary escorts will be Don Graves, Billy and Bobby Larson, Kevin Graves, Kyle Cadwell, Bill Wright, Duck Besaw, Bruce Graves, Jim Nelson, and Chum Brock.

Submitted by Char Livermore