Esther Graves
“avid bingo player”

Clara, PA---Esther Graves, 93, formerly of Clara, PA, died Monday, February 15, 2010 in Sena-Kean Manor, Smethport, PA after a long illness.

Born April 9, 1916 in Dagus Mines, PA, she was a daughter of William and Sarah Eppinger Drabert. On June 29, 1938 in Port Allegany, PA, she married Nelson A. Graves, who died on January 29, 1990.

Mrs. Graves attended and completed school at the former Fishing Creek Country school. She was a bus driver and a cafeteria worker for the Oswayo Valley School District for several years. She later worked for the former Acme Electric Company in Allegany, NY, retiring in 1978.
She served on the Shinglehouse/Oswayo Valley School District Board of Directors in the 1950’s. Mrs. Graves loved to play bingo. She enjoyed skip-bo, gardening and most especially spending time with her family.

Surviving are four children: William R. (Judy) Graves of Eldred, N. Robert (Barbara) Graves and Linda J. (Ken) Pease, both of Clara, and James P. (Terry) Graves of Huntsville, Alabama; eleven grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Graves was predeceased by four brothers, Lester Drabert, John Drabert, Howard Drabert, and Orin Drabert; two sisters, Pearl Young and Clara Judy; three grandsons; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.

In keeping with Esther’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Friends are invited to attend funeral services on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 10 a.m. at the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA with the Rev. Daniel P. Grimes, pastor of the Shinglehouse United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Shinglehouse, PA.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to the Shinglehouse Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 475, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; the Oswayo Valley Memorial Library, PO Box 188, Shinglehouse, PA 16748; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.