IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Richard M.
Gravender
June 30, 2016
Obituary
ELKHART — Richard M. Gravender Sr., 88, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday morning, June 30, at Elkhart General Hospital.
He was born April 18, 1928, in Elkhart, to the late Max A. and Ruth (Shaw) Gravender.
Richard married Virginia Neel Briggs on April 7, 1950, in Elkhart.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Virginia; two sons, Richard (Deborah) Gravender Jr. of Elkhart and Dave (Nancy) Gravender of Oakland Calif.; two daughters, Jane (Carl) Slabaugh of Elkhart and Pamela (Lynn) Matassarin of Irvine, Calif.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his nephew, Tom (Linda) McManus of Elkhart.
He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth McManus.
Richard had formerly worked for C.G. Conn, Ace Cab Co. as a dispatcher for many years and Yoder Oil Co. He also owned and operated an air freight and delivery company, then retired. He began working at Omega Industries where he retired again at the age of 80. Richard loved music. He played saxophone in area bands. He was an avid bowler and fisherman; he also enjoyed camping and animals. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and served in the U.S. Army.
A service celebrating Richard's life will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart, where friends may call one hour prior. The Rev. Tom DeFries of St. Paul's UMC will officiate. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the service. At Richard's request, cremation has taken place, with placement of his cremated remains at a later date in the Memories Mausoleum in Rice Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorial donations to the Diabetes Association or Elkhart County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
He was born April 18, 1928, in Elkhart, to the late Max A. and Ruth (Shaw) Gravender.
Richard married Virginia Neel Briggs on April 7, 1950, in Elkhart.
Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Virginia; two sons, Richard (Deborah) Gravender Jr. of Elkhart and Dave (Nancy) Gravender of Oakland Calif.; two daughters, Jane (Carl) Slabaugh of Elkhart and Pamela (Lynn) Matassarin of Irvine, Calif.; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and his nephew, Tom (Linda) McManus of Elkhart.
He was preceded in death by a sister Ruth McManus.
Richard had formerly worked for C.G. Conn, Ace Cab Co. as a dispatcher for many years and Yoder Oil Co. He also owned and operated an air freight and delivery company, then retired. He began working at Omega Industries where he retired again at the age of 80. Richard loved music. He played saxophone in area bands. He was an avid bowler and fisherman; he also enjoyed camping and animals. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and served in the U.S. Army.
A service celebrating Richard's life will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 5, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St. Elkhart, where friends may call one hour prior. The Rev. Tom DeFries of St. Paul's UMC will officiate. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the service. At Richard's request, cremation has taken place, with placement of his cremated remains at a later date in the Memories Mausoleum in Rice Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request memorial donations to the Diabetes Association or Elkhart County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard M. Gravender, please visit our flower store.
Services
Celebration Of Life Service
July
5
Billings Funeral Home
Starts at 11:00 am