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In Memory

Denis Graham

Denis Joe Graham, 71, of Greenwood, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 15, 2017. He was born on August 18, 1946 in Indianapolis, to Robert and Mary Graham (nee Brown). Denis met the love of his life, Peggy Elko, at the Milwaukee USO while he was serving in the Navy.   They were married on October 14, 1967 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. They were lucky enough to celebrate their 50th anniversary with their extended family and friends this past August.   

Denis was loved more than words can express by his family including his wife Peggy; daughters Kristi Graham (Robert Finkbeiner), Tammy Graham (Carrie Herring); and grandchildren Lydia, Ryan and Matthew Finkbeiner.  He was very fortunate to have an extended family that also loved him very much including siblings Sharon Zuelke (Carl), Stephen Graham (Betty), Denise Small (Kevin), Shirley Verhage (Pete), Kathi Bean (Larry) and many many nieces, nephews and great and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Denis was predeceased by his parents Robert and Mary, his parents-in-law John and Mildred Elko, his brother Ronald Graham, his brothers-in-law James Elko, Larry Bean, and Pete Verhage. 

After leaving the Navy, Denis moved his small family back to Indiana and began work as a switchman for Indiana Bell.  He worked his way up through the ranks of the phone company and retired in 2011 as an alarm systems manager for AT&T after 40 years of service.  He was an active member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Plainfield for 45 years serving in various positions on church council and as stewardship secretary.  He impacted a lot of lives through his activities as a youth bowling coach at Southern Bowl for over a decade and as a softball coach in the Greenwood Lassie League.   He was an avid sports fan who loved his Indiana teams. 

Denis was a US Navy veteran serving in a nuclear submarine during the Vietnam War. 

Services for Denis will be held on Saturday, September 23, at 2:00 p.m. at Singleton Mortuary Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 7602 Madison Ave. Visitation will be Friday September 22, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the James Elko Memorial Scholarship in Nuclear Engineering (fund #132637630), care of University of Wisconsin Foundation, US Bank Lockbox, Box 78807, Milwaukee,