Ralph Leland Graven
(August 8, 1938 – July 19, 2024)
Ralph Leland Graven, 85, of Findlay, IL, passed away at 10:53 p.m. Friday, July 19, 2024, at Shelbyville Manor, Shelbyville, IL.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL, with Pastor Doug Fultz officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7: 00 p.m. Friday, July 26, 2024, in the funeral home. Burial will be in Findlay Cemetery, Findlay, IL. Memorials may be given to HSHS Hospice.
Leland was born on August 8, 1938, at home in rural Findlay, IL, the son of Ralph Harold and Juanita Faye (Stevens) Graven. He graduated from Findlay High School in the Class of 1956. Leland married Charlene Sims on October 2, 1960, at the Findlay United Methodist Church. Leland worked at Caterpillar in Decatur for 30 years, until the time of his retirement. Leland also farmed for Tony Uphoff, and enjoyed participating in antique tractor drives and collecting antique Farmall Tractors. Leland was a member of Solid Rock Chapel in Sullivan, IL.
Leland is survived by his wife, Charlene; sons, Lee Graven and wife Tracey of Arlington Heights, IL, and Aaron Graven and wife Keri of Wilson, NC; daughters, Judy Sinkler and husband Brad of Sullivan, IL, and Sherry Smith and husband Rodney of Edinburg, IL; sisters, Loril Woolridge of Edinburg, IL, Margaret Woodworth of Findlay, IL, and Lynn Agney (Larry) of Shelbyville, IL; ten grandchildren, Josh Sinkler, Ashley (Sinkler) Perona, Robey Smith, Holden Smith, Kaden Smith, Jon Graven, Ethan Graven, Jackson Graven, Spencer Graven and Owen Graven; and five great grandchildren, Ella Perona, Luke Perona, Luke Sinkler-Perona, Cataleya Sinkler, and Clive Sinkler. .
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers-in-law, Oliver Woolridge, Don Hooper, Grant Woodworth; and Don Stockdale.