“And on the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said, “I need a caretaker!” So, God made a farmer!
Dale Wallace Graham left this word peacefully on August 20, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was born at home on the farm on June 28, 1924, to William and Dena (Westhoff) Graham. Dale spent most of his 97 years of his life in rural Raymond. Dale heard God’s calling to be a farmer and disciple early in his life. He was known to say he never worked a day in his life because he always enjoyed what he was doing. Dale was a patriarch and leader who took great pride in his family, a faithful caretaker of his land and cattle, a tireless community supporter, and above all, a follower of Christ. He retired from farming at the age of 70 and moved to Litchfield’s Timber Creek Village in 2018.
Dale is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen Joan Crawford Graham; son William Graham and wife Sheryl of Cleveland, Tennessee; daughter Marilyn Biehler and husband Randy of Shelbyville, Illinois; daughter Cathy Allen and husband Dr. Kevin Allen of Stillwater, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren: Misty Decker, William Graham, Ashley Graham, Cayla Duckett, Dr. Paige Reese, Connor Biehler, Caylene Allen, Shannon Willis and Bridgette Allen; and seven great-grandchildren: MacKenzie Decker, Marlee Duckett, Mallory Duckett, Tyce Duckett, Michael Graham, Alaina Graham, and Wyatt Graham Reese. Dale was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Harold Maynard Graham and Lynn W. Graham.
Dale was the longest active member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Raymond where he served as a Deacon, Elder, and member of the Mariner’s Life Group. He also was involved with the Montgomery County Farm Bureau, a Trustee of the Raymond Fire Department and active in the Central Illinois Livestock Association Board. Dale was a 3rd degree Mason.
Visitation will be held Sunday, August 22 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. outside at the Community of Faith Church in Raymond, Illinois. Burial will be held Monday, August 23, 10:30 a.m. at Asbury Cemetery, Raymond, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Dale's honor to Asbury Cemetery, Panhandle Food Pantry, Raymond Harvel Ambulance Service or a charity of your choice
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