Jonathan Michael Graham

Jonathan Michael Graham’s struggle with Ewing’s Sarcoma ended during the early evening on March 13, 2025.

Jon fought cancer for ten plus years, experiencing only two years of remission. Motivated to embrace life fully and to help raise his young children, Jon endured multiple harsh chemo regimens, radiation treatments, and clinical trials. He did his best to keep on keeping on – to make the moments count. Despite the challenges, he and Kelsey strove to keep life as normal and as fulfilling as possible for their family.

Jon was welcomed into the world on April 6, 1987, by his parents, Frederick and Kay Graham and his older brother and sister. He spent his childhood in a small neighborhood in Nashport, Ohio, an area that had access to a creek, climbing trees, four-wheeler paths, and a yard big enough for endless summer baseball games.

He attended Tri-Valley Schools where he established enduring friendships and met his high school sweetheart, Kelsey, who would later become his wife. Jon participated in many extracurriculars, including academic and service clubs, soccer, swimming, and baseball. He worked at the Dresden pool, for the Longaberger Company, and for Tri-Valley Schools during the summers. Following his high school graduation in 2005, Jon attended Ohio University from which he received his bachelor’s degree in education in 2009. During the time he was an undergrad, he worked as a math tutor during the school year and for Harry & David and Tri-Valley Schools during school breaks. A few years later Jon earned his master’s degree.

Jon was employed as a teacher (mathematics) and as a coach by the Tri-Valley Local School District and by Mount Vernon City Schools until cancer-related health issues necessitated change. Subsequently he worked part-time for Sudden Impact, the People’s Bank of Gambier, and Donley Ford. Following his diagnosis, Jon’s employers and coworkers – and Kelsey’s too – were flexible, generous, and supportive, making adjustments when Jon’s treatments were necessary.

Some of Jon’s favorite pastimes involved watching his son and his daughter participate in various sports and other activities, especially football, basketball, volleyball, and community theater. He also enjoyed playing competitive video games and board games with them. Jon was always attracted to the latest technology, another interest shared by his family.

Jon was an avid but long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan, every season hoping this year would be THE ONE. The Cavs and the Indians/Guardians offered more reasons to cheer and fewer disappointments. Jon was glad that Kelsey and he shared a love of sports.

Jon was an outdoor enthusiast; he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as riding motorcycles and boating. Spending time with others around a campfire or a fire pit was another prized form of recreation. He loved family vacations and getaways with friends, especially those that offered piers and pools. Marco Island, Florida, remained a preferred vacation destination.

Jon was a big fan of animals, especially dogs. His canine friends – Lexi, Stokely, and Riley – entertained him, comforted him, and sometimes annoyed him, impacting family life in fun and memorable ways.

As a youth Jon attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and Dresden United Methodist Church and was a member of the latter’s youth group. More recently, he and his family attended the Church at Chapel Hill and Lifepoint Church in Mount Vernon. Their church families blessed them in multiple ways before and during Jon’s cancer journey.

Jon was preceded in death by his grandparents, Beulah and Francis Hill and Margaret (Peg) and Dale Graham. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Owen Graham, and an infant cousin.

In addition to his parents, Jon is survived by his long-time love and devoted wife, Kelsey Shumaker Graham, whom he married on October 24, 2009; their beloved children, Luke and Maddie Graham; his brother, Joel Graham; his sister, Elisabeth Lorenz; his parents-in-law, Kevin and Nancy Shumaker; his brothers-in-law, Jason Shumaker, Daniel Lorenz, and Corben McInnis; his sisters-in-law, Jamie Shumaker, Lindsey McInnis, Shannon Shumaker, and Laura Graham. He is also survived by his nephews, Graham Lorenz and Mason McInnis, and his niece, Parker McInnis, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, and close friends.

The family wishes to thank the countless people in Muskingum and Knox counties – and beyond – who have prayed for Jon and who have offered kindness, encouragement, and generosity during this hard season. We are thankful for the outreach. Among Jon and Kelsey’s greatest blessings have been steadfast friends who stepped up, not away, during Jon’s long illness. We know many of these individuals will miss Jon’s sense of humor, spontaneity, curiosity, determination, and grit just as we will.

Calling hours will be from 5:00-7:00 on Tuesday evening, March 18 and from 10:00-11:00 on Wednesday morning, March 19. The memorial service will begin at 11:00 on Wednesday. Both the calling hours and the memorial service will take place at Lifepoint Church, 705 S. Division Street, Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Our communities have already been unfailingly generous, but – if anyone wishes – memorial donations for sarcoma research, in lieu of flowers, would be welcome and may be sent to this address: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, Sarcoma Research, Att: Bhuvana A. Setty, P.O. Box 16810, Columbus, OH 43216-6810.