(Quad Cities Times  Friday, 25 February 2005)

James Graham

James M. "Jim" Graham, of Moline, died Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, at St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Ill.  Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline.  Burial is in Rose Lawn Memorial Estate, Moline.  Visitation is 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan.  Memorials may be made to Youth Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Jim was born June 7, 1948, in Moline, a son of Ronald and Kathryn Magoon Graham.  He married Beverlee Bales, Sept. 18, 1971, in Rock Island.

Jim was a plumber, working through the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 25, Rock Island, for 30 years, serving as the recording secretary for 25 years.  He worked most frequently for Ryan and Associates, Davenport.  Jim retired on March 1, 2004.  He currently was the Youth Minister at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Jim was a Vietnam War Navy Veteran serving on the U.S.S. Enterprise.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, where he had served on the Church Council.  He was a member of the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, East Rock Island County Chapter, serving on its board of directors and was its youth director.  He served on the staff of the Youth Leadership Lab for the Northern Illinois Synod of the E.L.C.A.  Jim attended several of the National Youth Gatherings of the E.L.C.A and was invited to serve on the staff of the Youth Gathering scheduled for San Antonio, Texas, in July 2006.  He was a member of the Northern Illinois Synod Lutheran Youth Organization, youth sub-committee.  Jim enjoyed walking, reading, traveling, and his favorite dog, Allie.  Jim especially loved his granddaughter Dana.

Survivors include his wife, Beverlee; daughters Jennifer Engstrom and her husband, Mark, Roselle, Ill., and Robyn Graham, Moline; granddaughter, Dana Engstrom; and brother, Rick Graham, Rock Island.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

(© 2005 QCTimes)