Mildred Graves

"I think of heaven as my garden, where I shall find again those dear ones who have made my world…. and I will wait for those whom I have left behind." Mildred Graves, 94, passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2016. She was born in St. Marks on February 24, 1921. Her parents were the late Ross and Lola (Hagedorn) Kellems. Also preceding her in death was her husband, Leo W. Graves; her sons, Wayne and Robert Graves; a daughter in law, Arline Graves and her brothers, Hubert, Gene, Vic and Edgar Kellems. A 1939 graduate of Tell City High School, Mildred was a lifelong resident of Perry County, except during World War II, when she lived and worked in Evansville at the Servel Plant, fitting wing covers for the P-47 Thunderbird aircraft. After the war, she returned home and married her sweetheart, Leo Graves, on April 23, 1946, at St. Mark Catholic Church. Together, they raised their eight children on a farm where Mildred worked diligently at creating a beautiful and welcoming home for her loved ones. She was an accomplished homemaker, seamstress, upholsterer and often referred to herself as a "household engineer". She had a love of flowers and gardening. She once stated, "I don't want to sit by the wayside and rust, I want to keep my shovel nice and shiny". Mildred set a fine example to many by volunteering her time and energy as a member of many local, state and national groups, including Right to Life, Matrix Lifeline, St. Marks Home Economics Club, 4-H and St. Mark Church related organizations. She helped establish many of these groups, but the one closest to her heart was 4-H, where she dedicated and enjoyed countless hours of service for over 35 years. Mildred's surviving family members include her daughters, Mary Kaye Zuelly (Gary), Janice Hackbarth (David) and Susan Graves (Junie Brinksneader); sons, Donald Graves (Beverly), Dennis Graves (Brenda), Rick Graves; fifteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; sisters, Carol Ann Bailey, Ruth Peter and Margie Block,brother Bob Kellems and daughter-in-law, Diane Graves, Maumee, OH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at St. Mark Catholic Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 until 8:00 PM on Monday and from 8:00 until 9:00 AM on Tuesday at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark Catholic Church or Perry County 4-H.