Walter W. Graham

Walter W. Graham, 75, of Jonesboro, died at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, at Union County Nursing Home under the care of Hospice of Southern Illinois.

He was born on Dec. 9, 1943, in Dongola, the son of William Franklin and Verda May McCommons Graham.  

He married Sandra Jean Schmidt on June 28, 1986, and they shared 33 wonderful years of marriage together.

He served as a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force in Alaska, where he learned to be an excellent marksman, which later served him in his love of deer hunting.  

He worked for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for 38 years within the fish hatchery and tree nursery.  

He was a man of faith and was excited to be able to speak the good news of Jesus Christ.  

He loved hunting, living on the farm and absolutely cherished his family.  

He previously was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dongola and the First Christian Church in Anna and currently had been attending the Big Creek Baptist Church. He was also a lifelong member of the NRA.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; stepdaughters Mary (Scott) Nash-Swink, Carol Clutts and Jean Modglin; grandchildren Lindsey (Zach) LeFevre, Kelsie Clutts and Mason Modglin; a great-grandchild, Merritt June LeFevre; brothers Richard (Yvonne) Graham and Tom Graham; a sister-in-law, Karen Graham; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill (Clara) Graham and Curtis Graham; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Graham. 

Visitation will be Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. until noon at Crain Funeral Home in Dongola.  Funeral services will follow at noon, with LaRue Parr and Bill Littrell officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the American Legion Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.

Crain Funeral Home in Dongola is in charge of arrangements.