Elmer Graves

GRAVES, ELMER L., JR., was the heart and soul of Salks Hardware Store the wisdom and compassion of his family the courage and pride of our country before passing away Aug. 20, 2012. He spent more than 62 of those years with his wife, Greta A. (Erickson) Graves. Born in Cranston, the son of the late Elmer L. and Rosella S. (Veranica) Graves, Elmer lived in Warwick most of his life. He was honored as a decorated World War II Army veteran. Mr. Graves was the manager of Salks Hardware Store in Conimicut for 55 years. He was also actively involved in the Old Warwick Grange. Elmer was a 1950 graduate of Bryant College. Besides his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Christine Satterwhite and Deborah Graves-Stone, both of Pocatello, Idaho; a son, Leonard Graves of Charleston, S.C.; a sister, Junis Merchant of Modesto, Calif.; four grandchildren, Dana Graves, Nicole Graves, Taylor Graves, and Mackenzie Stone; and great-grandson Owen Atwood. He was the brother of the late Henry Graves and Shirley Peters. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 7, in Woodbury Union Church, Presbyterian, 58 Beach Ave., Warwick. Visiting hours are omitted. A private burial, with military honors, will be at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, send contributions in his memory to the Memorial Fund of Woodbury Union Church.