Our Family Serving Your Family
Princeville, Dunlap, Brimfield, Edelstein, Laura, Monica
Also Serving The Wyoming & Toulon Areas

Obituary of Leo C. "Jr." Graves

Princeville – Leo C. “Jr” Graves, 90, a resident of Lutheran Hillside Village, Peoria, a life-long Princeville resident, died at 1:35 a.m. Sunday, March 28, 2010, at Methodist Medical Center, Peoria.

Leo was born June 17, 1919, in rural Princeville, the son of Leo Austin & Myrtle Leafy Greene Graves.  He married M. Eloise Bliss on December 10, 1938, in Princeville.  Eloise preceded him in death on July 16, 2008, in Peoria.  Also preceding him in death were his parents.

Surviving are two daughters, Judith Ann (Art Mayer) Higgs of Bella Vista, AR, and Janet Sue (Jack) Morlock of Peoria; grandchildren, Julie Ann (John) Edwards of rural Princeville, Judith Heather (Daniel) McGowan of Naperville, IL, and Richard Heath Higgs of Honolulu, HI; Three great grandchildren, Jaclyn Hoerr, and Sarah & Sean McGowan; a sister, Martha Gibbs of Princeville; and numerous nieces & nephews also survive.

He attended Bradley University.  Leo and Eloise farmed in Peoria and Stark Counties for many years, raising Hereford cattle & Duroc hogs.  Junior retired in 1986, although he followed the farming activities on a daily basis.  He served on the Duncan School Board for over 20 years and was instrumental in building the new school building.  He was a member of the Peoria County Farm Bureau and served on the Stark County Junior Fair Board.  He also served as a mentor for I.C.C. agriculture students.  Leo and Eloise enjoyed traveling and gardening.

He was a 50 year member of the Princeville United Methodist Church, where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2010.  Rev. Rex Hendrix & Rev. Paul Park will officiate.  Burial will be in Princeville Cemetery. There will be no visitation; however, the family will receive friends following the burial at a dinner in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Princeville United Methodist Church or to the Akron-Princeville Ambulance Service.

Hammitt-Hott Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Private condolences may be made to the family by clicking here.