Merle Lee McGraw
Born: May 3rd, 1935
Died: January 8th, 2013
Obituary
Merle “Lee” McGraw, 77, of West Burlington, Iowa, died at his home on Tuesday evening, January 8, 2013.
Born on May 3, 1935 in Oquawka, Illinois, he was the son of Clifford Eugene and Bertha Baxter McGraw. He married Alice Philp on May 11, 1957 in Gladstone, Illinois. She died in February of 1978. He married Patricia Vorwerk on November 16, 1979 in Burlington, Iowa.
Lee graduated from Gladstone & Oquawka High School in 1953 and immediately started working at the IAAP plant as a heavy equipment operator. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954 and served three years while working at IAAP, he continued his work there until his retirement in 1997. He enjoyed traveling on their motorcycle, snowmobiling, camping, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren. He was of the Protestant faith.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia McGraw of West Burlington, Iowa; one son, Gregory Lee (Paul) McGraw of Kansas City, Missouri; five daughters, Pamela (William Jr.) Lee Newton of Ft. Madison, Iowa, Cynthia Lynn (Ronald) Schulte of Bettendorf, Iowa, Susan Patricia (Kerry) Hartmann of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sandra Jeanne deSalme of Burlington, Iowa, and Jacklyn Ann Hallman of Hiawatha, Iowa; 13 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews & cousins; one sister, Pauline Woods of Gladstone, Illinois; two brothers, Robert McGraw of Gladstone, Illinois and Billy (Patricia) McGraw of Liberty, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Alice; two sisters; and daughter, Kimberly Lynn Morris.
Funeral services for Merle "Lee" McGraw will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at SS. Mary & Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington, Iowa. Fr. David Steinle will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa at a later date following cremation. Military rites will be conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in Prugh’s Chapel. A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice.