Elwin L. Graham

Elwin L. Graham, age 100 of Marion passed away on May 5, 2021 at Marion General Hospital.

Elwin was born on December 15, 1920 the second son of Ira B. and Rose (Phillips) Graham at home in Meir, East of Converse, Indiana.  In 1941, he met Clarell Nadine Skinner that summer.  A few weeks later he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him in marriage. With that promise, they married on December 14, 1941. They celebrated 69 years of marriage before Clarell Nadine passed away on July 15, 2011.

Elwin grew up a farmer and later became a massage therapist. When Nadine was a young adult she had a stroke, and Elwin was praying, searching for a way to help her.  A magazine advertisement about a massage school in Chicago popped out at him. They traveled to Chicago to see what the therapy was about. Two years later he graduated with honors from Kelberg Institute and Dr. Esther C. Swason School Physical and Massage Therapy.  As people saw Nadine's improvement and recovery thus evolved into Graham Massage Therapy Clinic.

During his lifetime he was an active member of the First Church of the Nazarene. He was one of the congregational volunteer team in building the new church building where it is located on Kem Road. He created a Boys Sunday School Class and other innovative ideas in advancing the Church. He was a full-time usher and served on many committees through the years.  Elwin served on the Grant County Farm Bureau Board of Directors and various committees.  He was an active member and past president of the Indiana Chapter as well active on the National level of the American Massage Therapy Association for over 50 years. The last National Convention he attended was in 2019.

He is survived by daughters, Janice K. Brown of Marion and Jayne Taylor of Toronto in Canada; grandchildren, Amy (Bill) McVay, Minnesota, Arica Carpenter of Texas, Michelle Graham and Andre' (Juanita) Graham of Florida, Noah (Detta) Koegel of Marion, Stephen (Shana) Taylor of Toronto, and Ladena (Oswald) Prithipaul of Ontario, Canada; several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, Jordan, Aurora, Ezra and Barbara Carpenter of Oklahoma; sister, Marilyn Holt of Kokomo; sister-in-law, Jean Graham of Michigan; brother-in-law, Jack Skinner; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death besides his wife, Clarell Nadine was son, Earl E. Graham on May 28, 2019; two brothers and their wives, Delmar (Maxine) Graham and Gene (Betty) Graham; brother, Rev. Mark D. Graham; brother-in-law, Glenn Holt; nephews, Gary Graham and Tom Jarrett; and infant great-granddaughter, Olivia Prithipaul.

Friends and family may call from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 700 W. Kem Road, Marion, Indiana, and also from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 13, 2021 in the church prior to funeral services.  Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Chaplain Don Miller and Pastor Mark Hinshaw officiating.

Burial will follow funeral services in Grant Memorial Park Cemetery, Marion, Indiana.

Memorial donations can be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 700 W Kem Road Marion, Indiana 46952; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are entrusted to Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 W. Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.

Online condolences may be shared at www.ravenchoate.com

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