Obituary of Robert E. Graves

Sedan - Robert E. "Bob" Graves, 84, of Sedan, retired owner of Graves-Baird Funeral Home in Sedan passed away Saturday evening January 13, 2007 in Pleasant Valley Manor in Sedan. He was born August 30, 1922 in Caney, Kansas to Clyde and Beulah (Hughes) Graves. He attended and graduated from the Caney High School in Caney, Kansas. He served in the United States Army Air Corp during World War II from December 23, 1942 to August 23, 1945. On September 1, 1945, he married Wanda Vaughan in Caney, Kansas. Following their marriage, they moved to St. Louis where Bob attended Mortuary School. After graduation, they returned to Caney where he worked for his uncle Lloyd W. Graves at Graves Funeral Home. In May of 1960, they moved to Sedan when he purchased the Baird Funeral Home changing the name to Graves-Baird Funeral Home, which he operated until retiring in 1985, during this time Bob employed several high school boys and started their careers in funeral service. Bob was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sedan, he was also a member of and Past President of Sedan Lions Club, Sedan V.F.W., Sedan American Legion, all Masonic Orders, Board of Trustee at the Sedan City Hospital and the Sedan Country Club. He was a former member and Past President of the Kansas State Board of Mortuary Arts, Past President of Jr. Chamber of Commerce and City Council in Caney, Board of Directors of the First National Bank of Sedan, School Board of Sedan, and Sedan Chamber of Commerce. For many year Bob enjoyed playing Santa Claus at church's and nursing homes in the area. Survivors include his wife, Wanda of Sedan; three daughters, Janis Chase and husband Jim of Elgin, Kansas, Debi Snider and husband Charlie of Edmond, Oklahoma and Micki Fulton and husband Danny of Caney, Kansas; three grandsons, Quinton Fulton, Preston Fulton and Barron Snider; two granddaughters, Heather Chase and Brooke Uhls and two great-grandsons, Kalton Chase and Logan Uhls. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Betty Benoit; and one half-brother John Lucas. Family and friends may call on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan, Kansas. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, January 19, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church in Sedan, Kansas with Reverend Jerry Bever, Reverend Jan Hayen and Reverend Bill Long officiating. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Sedan. Military Rites will be conducted by the United States Army Honor Guard of Ft. Riley, Kansas. The family has suggested memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church of Sedan or the Pleasant Valley Manor Nursing Home of Sedan. These remembrances may be left at the funeral home. David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Sedan is in charge of arrangements.