Banks & Beals Funeral Homes, P.C.

Obituaries - 2009

Melvin Ross Grafton

Melvin Ross Grafton, age 76 of Carman, Illinois, died at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday September 1, 2009 at his home. He was born May 21, 1933 near Stronghurst, Illinois, the son of Ross and Nellie VanTine Grafton. On January 13, 1952, he married Martha Holsteen in Carman. They later divorced. On August 18, 1991, he married Carolyn Oldham in Carthage, Illinois.

Mel began his career as a truck driver for Hunsaker Trucking Company, and also drove for several other area trucking companies. He owned and operated Grafton Trucking for several years. He had also worked for the State Of Illinois Highway Department for several years. Most recently, he worked as a parts representative for Seitz & Sons Trucking Company. He also had farmed and did custom harvesting for several area farmers. He was a member of the Teamsters Union, Henderson County Farm Bureau, and the former Olena Community Church. He currently attended the Carman United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, two daughters - Linda Sartorius of Carman, Connie (Micky) Cameron of Oquawka, IL., four sons - Randy (Kathy) Grafton of Stronghurst, Ricky Grafton of Lomax, IL., Terry (Marilyn) Grafton of Lexington, MO., Roger (Mary) Johnson-Grafton of Mexico, MO., one step daughter- Sharon (Mark) Ponte of Simi Valley, CA., twenty four grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters and one infant grandson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday September 4, 2009 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, with Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Carman Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Banks & Beals, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday. A memorial fund has been established for Henderson County Hospice. Send a condolence here.

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Obituaries - 2009 Melvin Ross Grafton Melvin Ross Grafton, age 76 of Carman, Illinois, died at 12:15 p.m. Tuesday September 1, 2009 at his home. He was born May 21, 1933 near Stronghurst, Illinois, the son of Ross and Nellie VanTine Grafton. On January 13, 1952, he married Martha Holsteen in Carman. They later divorced. On August 18, 1991, he married Carolyn Oldham in Carthage, Illinois. Mel began his career as a truck driver for Hunsaker Trucking Company, and also drove for several other area trucking companies. He owned and operated Grafton Trucking for several years. He had also worked for the State Of Illinois Highway Department for several years. Most recently, he worked as a parts representative for Seitz & Sons Trucking Company. He also had farmed and did custom harvesting for several area farmers. He was a member of the Teamsters Union, Henderson County Farm Bureau, and the former Olena Community Church. He currently attended the Carman United Methodist Church. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, two daughters - Linda Sartorius of Carman, Connie (Micky) Cameron of Oquawka, IL., four sons - Randy (Kathy) Grafton of Stronghurst, Ricky Grafton of Lomax, IL., Terry (Marilyn) Grafton of Lexington, MO., Roger (Mary) Johnson-Grafton of Mexico, MO., one step daughter- Sharon (Mark) Ponte of Simi Valley, CA., twenty four grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant daughters and one infant grandson. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday September 4, 2009 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, with Rev. Richard Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Carman Cemetery. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Banks & Beals, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday. A memorial fund has been established for Henderson County Hospice. Send a condolence here.
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