Benjamin David Graves, was born August 5, 1931 in Lancaster, Missouri and passed away June 23, 2021 in a Kirksville Hospital.
Ben is survived by his wife Katherine M. (Hoffman) Graves; his son, Kyle D. Graves and wife Arlene; two grandchildren, Kasey D. Graves and wife Jill and Kristin McKim and husband Kenny, and each of his grandchildren had a son and daughter; there are two great grandsons and two great granddaughters; and one great great granddaughter; also has one step granddaughter and one step great grandson. Also surviving is his sister, Carol Ellen Tade and husband Robert with three nephews, Justin S. Tade and wife Sheryl, Dirkson Tade and wife Lindsey and their four children, and Col. Gavin Tade and wife Angie and their four children.
The farm boy attended rural school and from his freshman year on he attended the Lancaster High School where during his junior year he started dating a girl who will be his wife. The first two years after graduation from high school saw him teaching in rural schools of Schuyler County. He and his wife were both teaching when they were married in November 23, 1950, Thanksgiving Day.
The summer of 1951 he was asked to start working for the Schuyler County State Bank in Lancaster until March 30, 1953 when he was invited to come to the Bank of Kirksville where he worked from teller to cashier to being a Vice President.
During his banking years he spent many evenings putting on a striped shirt and adding a whistle around his neck. He and several other well know area gentleman call basketball games all over northern Missouri.
Ben played tennis all over Missouri and many years when we spent our winter in Green Valley, Arizona. His other favorite sport was pickleball. This was a game he and a friend from the YMCA started. This has now become a more of an interest to many young people. The YMCA was an important part of his life.
Our first church love was the New Hope Methodist Church in Schuyler County. Later our membership was changed to the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville. Ben loved working for his church.
Visitation will be on Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Kirksville.
Memorials in memory of Ben are suggested to First United Methodist Church or the YMCA.
Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Kirksville, MO.