Robert Graham

Robert C. Graham, 88, died peacefully surrounded by his family at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at Lima Convalescent Home following an extended illness. He was born March 16, 1921, in Lima, to Russell T. and Mary Loretta Sunderman Graham, who preceded him in death. On October 20, 1945, he married Genevieve Fett, who survives in Lima. They celebrated 64 years of marriage. Mr. Graham was a 1939 graduate of Lima Central High School, where he was a distinguished athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended Miami University, Bluffton College, and Bowling Green State University. He served in the United States Navy as a Specialist 1st class, stationed in Charlottesville, Virginia from 1943-1946. Mr. Graham was employed at Central Savings Association for twenty-seven years and retired as president in 1972. After retirement from Central Savings Association he served as Office Manager at Family Resource Center for two years and was employed as a financial advisor for Wright Distribution Center for seven years. Mr. Graham was a member of Lima Community Church of Nazarene from 1999 to the present. Formerly he was a member of Market Street Presbyterian Church for fifty years, where he served as deacon, elder, trustee, and treasurer. Mr. Graham was a member of the Optimist Club, Central Ohio Parkinson?s Society, and is a brain donor for Parkinson?s Research through Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. In addition, he served on the Rehab Board for ten years and the Lima Convalescent Home Board for twenty-eight years. In 2000 he received the Lima Convalescent Home Humanitarian Award. Mr. Graham loved sports and played on local baseball teams for over 30 years and played tennis for more than 35 years. He particularly enjoyed playing tennis with his family and senior men?s doubles tennis with a group known as the Hawg Creek Tennis Club. He taught the game of tennis to his children and grandchildren and enjoyed competing in Lima Area Tennis tournaments with his wife and daughters. He arranged family competitions during summer reunions that were enjoyed by all in his extended family. Mr. Graham loved sports but his passion in life was his family. He most enjoyed the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren; he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and loved by all who knew him. Survivors also include four daughters; Janet (Ken) Vanderhoff of Cumming, Georgia; Nancy (David) Roush of Albion, Michigan; Barbara (Jon) Quatman of Lima, Ohio; Mary (James) Caprella of Lima, Ohio; nine grandchildren; Alison (Stephen) Sanger, Dan (Laura Scholl) Roush, Michael Vanderhoff, Todd (Stephanie)Vanderhoff, Scott (Sara) Vanderhoff, Megan (David) Dutton, Katie Quatman, Jamie Caprella, D.J. Caprella, five great-grandchildren; Amelia Sanger, Audrey Sanger, Graham Sanger, Henry Vanderhoff, Luke Vanderhoff, a brother, Russell Graham, of Lima, Ohio, an aunt, Lucy Mathers of Lima, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Graham Striff. Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010, at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at the funeral home with visitation one hour. prior to the service. The Reverend Terry Ayers will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Lima Community Church of Nazarene Building Fund, 2945 N. Cole Street, Lima, Ohio 45805 or to Parkinson?s Research, c/o Dr. Lawrence Elmer, Ruppert Health Center, Suite 1450, 3120 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio 43614. The family would like to thank the devoted caregivers at Lima Convalescent Home, St. Rita?s and Helping Hands Hospice, and private caregivers for their loving care and support.