Curtis Dean Graves

1933 - 2015

Services for Curtis Dean Graves, 82, of Laddonia, was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Bienhoff Funeral Home in Laddonia, with Brother Mark White officiating. Burial took place in Laddonia Cemetery with military honors provided by Laddonia American Legion Post 510.
Visitation was held on Saturday evening from 4-6 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Graves passed away at 7:15 a.m., December 30, 2015 at Pin Oaks Nursing Home in Mexico.
He was born December 20, 1933 in Lincoln County, the son of Paul Dawson and Irene T. Teacutter Graves.
He was married to Villa M. Righter on December 20, 1952 in Vandalia and she preceded him in death December 21, 2007.
Survivors include two sons, Garrett (Vicki Jo) Graves, of Martinsburg, and Carey (Kim) Graves, of Laddonia; two daughters, Vicki (Steve) Woolridge, of Mexico, and Gina G. Graves, of Columbia; three sisters, Mildred Lavon Colbert, of Montgomery City, Wanda Bruner and Kathleen Blevins, both of Auxvasse; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Mr. Graves was a lifelong area farmer in Lincoln, Pike and Audrain counties. He moved to this area when he was 16. After he retired from farming he worked as a grain sampler for the Missouri Department of Agriculture for 10 years. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1959 and achieved the rank of Third Class Petty Officer. He was a member of the Laddonia American Legion Post 510 and served as the commander for several years. He enjoyed shelling corn, playing cards, hunting pheasant and quail, and dancing.
Pallbearers were Rodney Colbert, Ted Colbert, Greg Smith, Mike Blevins, Mark Blevins, Timmy Blevins, and Travis Blevins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Laddonia Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be made at www.bienhofffuneralhome.com.