Ross Graham

Ross W. Graham, age 89 years of Niles, Michigan died at 1:17 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2014 at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following a brief illness.

He was born on March 20, 1925 in Niles to John C. and Lola B. (Mount) Graham and was graduated from Niles High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kalamazoo (Michigan) College, and earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He entered the United States Navy, served several tours on the USS Silversides – one of the Navy’s most successful submarines – and was a veteran of World War II.

Ross was first employed by Radio Free Europe, broadcasting news to countries in Eastern Europe, and drawing death threats from Communist countries. He was then employed for several years by Bendix in South Bend before joining the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. At Goodyear, Ross was sent by the finance department to manage plants throughout Europe and India before returning to the home office in Akron, Ohio as the Finance Director. He retired in 1990, and returned to Niles in 1992.

He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles and had edited its newsletter for many years. He was the Treasurer for the City of Niles Veterans Memorial Committee, and was an avid reader of history, biographies, and mysteries. He found great satisfaction in helping family and friends with their personal income tax preparation, and was compelled to always pay everything that was due – but not a penny more.

In 1953 he married the former Ann Margaret Knaur, who preceded him in death in 1991. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Marjorie Graham and Joyce Graham, and brothers, Bruce Graham and Malcolm Graham.

In 1994 he married Wanda L. (Woods) Witham, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Malcolm (& Karen) Graham of Barlow, Kentucky, Megan Graham of Casper, Wyoming, and Vivian Graham of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Wanda’s sons, Richard (& Kris) Witham of Spring Lake, Michigan and David (& Rhonda) Witham of Niles; grandchildren, Jessica Ann Graham, Kirstin (& Patrick) Rowan, Emily (& Yancey) Yaceczko, Amanda (& Matthew) Morgan, and Morgan Witham; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Morgan and Graham Morgan; and several nieces and nephews.

The Episcopal Burial Rite for Ross W. Graham will be performed at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Niles by The Reverend James Slack, retired. Committal Rites will be read later, privately at the Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles and will conclude with the Veteran's Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles. Contributions in memory of Mr. Graham may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church.