Wilma "Jean" Graham

Wilma “Jean” Graham, 91, of Indianapolis, passed away March 8th, 2024. She was born January 5th, 1933, the oldest of five daughters, in Muncie, Indiana to parents John and Leona Thompson. 

Jean grew up in Muncie and graduated from Muncie Central High School. She continued her education at Ball State University and later attended a flight attendant program in St. Louis. 

She was a very hard worker. She worked as a librarian, a lunch lady, and a legal secretary for Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Bingham Summers Welsh and Spilman for over 20 years before retiring. 

On January 12th, 1955, Jean married the love of her life, Barney Edward Graham. She shared over 50 wonderful years together. Barney passed away March, 2012. 

Jean was a loving, compassionate woman, with a great sense of humor. She was a diehard fan of the Chicago Cubs and Indianapolis Colts, able to rattle off players’ names and stats at any time. Jean loved going to casinos and was a tough poker player. She and her friends gathered for rounds of Texas Hold ‘Em, where she regularly took everyone’s chips. The holiday season was special for Jean. She and her family looked forward to their “Reindeer Games” where they would dress as Santa’s famous Reindeer for their Black Friday shopping trips. Jean, of course, was “Dasher”.  When relaxing, you could find her snuggled up, watching the Game Show Network or a Hallmark movie. Jean was also an avid reader. Jean’s family was everything to her. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be greatly missed by everyone she knew.  

Jean is survived by her children Russell Graham, Susannah McNevin (Scott), Debi Dwenger (Ron), and Wanda Whitmore (Don);  her seven dolls (granddaughters) Dawn Raquet (Adam), Jessica Kohlstaedt (Phil), Crystal Gilliatt, Jennifer Berry, Melissa Berry, Chelsea Graham-Rosati (Sam), and Samantha Serletic; great-grandchildren Breeonna Klase (Deajuan), Addy Stanger, Raegan Bristol, Alli Raquet, Drew Raquet, Hudson Gilliatt, Izzy Kohlstaedt, Zac Raquet, Cooper Gilliatt, Levi Gilliatt, and Elias Kohlstaedt; sister Norma Ledbetter; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. 

 She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Barney, and three sisters Marguerite Rose'“Pat” Haffner, Joyce Haney, and Emma Leota “Dodie” Whittenburg.

 Visitation will be Wednesday March 13th, from 4-8pm at Flanner Buchanan Memorial Park. Guests are encouraged to wear their Colts or Cubs gear. Additional visitation will be Thursday, March 14th from 10am-11am. Her funeral service will begin at 11am. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery. 

All are welcome to join the family for an After Family Gathering at Flanner Buchanan Memorial park, following the burial for food and fellowship. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jean’s memory to The Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital. 

To view the livestream of Jean's service, please use this link.