Judith Graves

ELDRED - Judith E. "Judy" Graves, 83, of Eldred passed away Saturday (Feb. 21, 2026) at Bradford Ecumenical Home after a long illness.
Born Monday, April 20, 1942, in Olean, N.Y., she was a daughter of Sigfred and Violet Chelgren Alexis. On June 11, 1966, in Olean, N.Y., she married William R. Graves, who survives. Judy was a graduate of Otto-Eldred High School. She was employed as a secretary in Olean at Prudential Life Insurance and later worked as a bookkeeper at the former Spring Hill Dairy in Portville, N.Y. Judy was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Portville, where she was a member of the church choir, had served as a Sunday school teacher, and had served on the Altar Committee.
A beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Judy enjoyed reading, embroidery, baking, writing in her journal, camping and traveling across the country, having visited every state except for Hawaii. She loved watching sports with her husband, especially her grandchildren's sporting events. She also enjoyed watching plays and dancing. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, William, of 59 years; two daughters, Joyce A. (Jack) Aderman of Glen St. Mary, Fla., and Laura S. (Joel) Burdick of Columbus, Ohio; five grandchildren, Travis (Sara) Aderman, Jordan Burdick, Brooke Burdick, Chelsea Shelander and Alyssa (Damen) Palmer; four great-grandchildren, Jack "Bubba" Aderman, Abby Aderman, Izzy Aderman and Luke Aderman; two sisters, Nancy (Spike) Wilcox of Concord, N.C., and Mary Kay Danielson of Gordonville; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Judy was predeceased by a daughter and son-in-law, Kathleen L. and Mark A. Shelander; a son, Thomas A. Graves; two grandsons, Ryan T. Aderman and Daniel J. Aderman; and two sisters, Carol Jean Hahn and Beverly Robinson.
Family and friends may gather from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 24, 2026) and noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 25, 2026) at Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, 118 S. Union St., Shinglehouse, where funeral services will immediately follow with the Rev. John A. Kearns, pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Allegany, N.Y., officiating. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Judith's name may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 606, Portville, NY 14770; to the Alzheimer's Association at donorservices.alz.org; to the Maple Grove Cemetery Association, c/o B. West, 57 S. Branch Canada Hollow Road, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to the Otto-Eldred Education Foundation, P.O. Box 27, Eldred, PA 16731, with Kathy and Mark Shelander Scholarship Fund in the memo.
Judy's family has entrusted her care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse. To express condolences, light a candle or share a fond memory of Judy, please visit virgillhowardfuneralhome.com or the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home Facebook page.