Ora Gertrude Clark Graves (1899-1953)

Ora Gertrude Clark Graves (1899-1953)
(Mrs. Frank A. Graves)

A copy of the following newspaper article, hand-identified as coming from an issue of a 1953 Tribune, was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:

Final Rites Wednesday For Mrs. Frank Graves

The Lowell community is grieved by the death of Mrs. Frank Graves, 53, who passed away at her home on Halstead Street Monday, after a short illness.

An ardent worker in home and church organizations, Mrs. Graves belonged to the Women's Society of Christian Service and the Home Builders class of the First Methodist church, and held membership in the Royal Neighbors of America and the Home Economics association. Mrs. Graves devoted her lifetime in the interest of her family, friends, neighbors and church and was widely know for her gentle nature.

The daughter of Charles and Lo Demia (Hayhurst) Clark, Ora Gertrude was born near Sherburnville, Ill., on July 25, 1899. She attended school at Edgetown. She became the wife of Frank A. Graves on September 14, 1921 and they established their home in Lowell.

Surviving with her husband, Frank, is their only child, Mrs. Donald (Ruby Louise) Mitchell of Eagle Grove, Iowa; also their son-in-law, Donald, and granddaughter, Karen; her father, Charles Clark, of Grant Park, Ill.; sisters, Mrs. Mary Hanson and Mrs. Leona Gamble, both of Grant Park; two brothers, Henry H. Clark of Kankakee, Ill., and Merwin Clark of Grant Park; an aunt, Mrs. Clarabelle Clark Bevan of Crown Point; two uncles, William Hayhurst of Grant Park and Claude Clark of Oklahoma; besides a host of area friends.

Memorial services were held at one o'clock Wednesday in the Sheets chapel with Rev. Paul A. Reisen, former pastor of the Lowell Methodist church, officiating. She was laid to rest in the Sherburnville cemetery.

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Last updated on April 5, 2007.

Go to Ora G. Clark Graves, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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