Max R. Graves

The smile and musical talents of Max Graves, age 85, of Marshalltown, are now gracing Heaven’s halls.  He left this earthly life with his family at his side under the care of the Iowa River Hospice home on Tuesday, October 8th.           Memorial services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 12th, at the Central Christian Church with Pastor Loren Strait officiating. He will be laid to rest in the Riverside Cemetery with full military honors by the Combined American Legion and VFW Posts in the Marshalltown area. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday at the church. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Max and his family. Ph. 641-844-1234.           Born on December 3rd, 1933, in Davis City, Iowa, he was the middle child of five born to James Orville and Helene (Fetty) Graves. He graduated from the Webster City High School in 1952 and soon enlisted in the US Army.         Max served our country honorably during the Korean War for two years and returned to Iowa to begin schooling at AIB in Des Moines.           Walking into school one day with his friends, he caught the eye of a young Janet Galloway, who at that moment told her friends “I am going to marry that boy!” It was truly love at first sight and she was correct. On September 6th, 1957, at her home church, Central Christian in Marshalltown, the young couple was married. They made their home in Newton for five years, but otherwise Marshalltown was always home. Max was employed different places through the years, but many would remember him as manager of the Kum and Go store until retirement.           He enjoyed horses, Country-Western music, German Shephards, playing horseshoes, square dancing, playing the organ, wintering in Arizona and treasured his family. He was a member of Central Christian, Evening Kiwanis and the American Legion.          Left to cherish his memory are Janet, his loving wife of 62 years; four children- Terry (Donna) Graves of Nevada, IA, Cheri Corbin of Oskaloosa, Jeff (Amy) Graves of Des Moines, and Tricia (Ron) Redell of Moline, IL; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and the Galloway family.           In death, Max rejoined his parents and four sisters- Frances Olson, Doris Helton, Dixie Ralston and Loudene Arnold.