Jack Graves

Jack Oliver Graves died Friday, January, 20, 2017, at the Elizabeth Nursing Home after an extended illness. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at the Elizabeth United Methodist Church. A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jack’s name to the Elizabeth Fire Department or Elizabeth Ambulance Association.
Jack was born on March 24, 1936, in Warren, Illinois, the son of Leslie and Agnes (Gallagher) Graves. He attended and graduated from Elizabeth High School with the Class of 1954. After high school he joined the United Stated Navy (1954-1958) and was very proud that he served aboard the USS Oriskany. Jack married Jeanette Albrecht on December 26, 1955.
Along with his mother, sister, wife, and later with his sons, Jack spent 57 years as a very hard-working and dedicated owner of the Elizabeth Garage which has been owned and operated by the Graves' family for 91 years (since 1925). He worked daily until his illness in January 2015. The people of town called Jack, "Mr. Elizabeth." He was a member of the United Methodist Church, Elizabeth Lions Club, Galena Elk's Club, Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce and tirelessly ran the Elizabeth Food Pantry. He was a past member of the Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Department and Elizabeth Village Board. He loved to fish and spend week-ends on the Mississippi River. Jack and Jeanette loved their mini-vacations to Wisconsin for many years. He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan and was voted Country Illinois’ “Father of the Year” in 2012. Jack dearly loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Jennifer (Dean) Redfearn, Jay (Debbie) Graves and Jeff Graves, all of Elizabeth, Julie (Darrell) McDaniel of Lexington, Kentucky; a daughter-in-law, Leisa Graves; 10 grandchildren, Matthew (Molly Francomb) Wand, Mark (Tabitha Knupp) Wand, Kelsea (Anthony) Brown, Kairee (Wes Bohnsack) Graves, Cody (Kayla Miller) Graves, all of Elizabeth, Karista (Josh) Hannah of Louisville, Kentucky, Darren (Tonya) Tippett of Lexington, Kentucky, Emily (Jake Schwind) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Amy Graves of Phoenix, Arizona, and Andrew Graves of Dallas, Texas; three step-grandchildren, Ellie Adrian of Dubuque, Iowa, Blake Redfearn, and Lindsay (Ryan) Zmich of Elizabeth; great-grandchildren, Aidan and Thea Wand, Trinity Langel, Harper Wand, Ashur and Ellis Hannah, and Mason and Rylee Brown; step great-grandchildren, Taylor Adrian, Addison and Tinley Zmich, Cayden, Payton, and Emmerson Redfearn; nephew, Gig (Emily) Specht of Kansas City, Kansas, and nieces, Penny Kay (Denny) Heidenreich of Stockton, Illinois, and Kim (Matt) Sojka of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette, on November 14, 2016; his parents; a sister, Jane Specht on December 18, 2003; son-in-law, Thomas Wand on September 3, 1990; and a granddaughter, Adrienne Tippett on November 5, 1979. The family wishes to thank Dr. Crist and the staff at the Elizabeth Nursing Home.