Obituary for Inez Darlene Graham

Darlene Graham, 85, of Mount Ayr, IA, formerly of Milo, IA, died at the Ringgold County Hospital on August 8, 2007. As per her wishes, Darlene was cremated. Memorial services are planned for Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Milo United Methodist Church. Burial will be held at a later date. The Cremation Society of Eastern-Central-Western Iowa is assisting with arrangements. Survivors include her sister Louvele Sams of Indianola, IA; nephews, Allan Graham of Milo, IA, Max Mekus of Mount Ayr, IA, Richard Mekus of Olathe, KS, Lawrence Labertew of Johnson City, IL, Roger Labertew of Moulton, IA, and Merlin Sams of Altoona, IA; nieces, Deborah (Labertew) Molzer of Lake Worth, FL, Joyce (Sams) Haworth of Wheaton, IL, Irene (Graham) Plagman of Marathon, IA, and Norma Smith of Ft Worth, TX; and many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters Ruth Graham, Elva Hibbs, and Dorris Mekus; and brother Dr. Joseph Allan Graham, Jr. Inez Darlene Graham was born on January 25, 1922 to Joseph Allan and Inez Clare (Truitt) Graham in Alleman, IA. The Graham family of five girls and one boy moved to Milo, IA in 1927. Darlene graduated from Milo High School in 1939 and attended Iowa State University. She was a telephone operator at the Milo telephone company in 1939, and worked at the Wellman-Riverside Newspaper with her sister Louvele. In 1943 Darlene went to work for the U S Air Force Depot at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. On May 11, 1947 she was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Swartzendruber. Before retiring in 1978, Darlene was employed for twenty years at Des Moines Rubber Stamp Co. She enjoyed photography, bird watching, inspirational letter writing, reading, and she had a special interest in history. Darlene was always kind and very considerate of others. She was a gentle lady and will be sadly missed. Memorials can be directed to Milo Public Library or Milo United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be left for the Graham family by clicking on "Sign Guestbook" below.