- Born on: May 16, 1956
- Departed on: April 10, 2026
- Resided in: Pella, IA
Don Allan Graves
Don Allan Graves, age 69 of Pella, died Friday, April 10, 2026.
He was born May 16, 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa to Marion Eugene Graves and Mary Lorraine (Young) Graves of Pleasantville. Don attended school in Pleasantville graduating with the Class of 1974. He then went on to Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo, Iowa graduating with an Associate Degree in Applied Arts in 1976. For several years he owned a photography studio in Knoxville, Iowa while working part time for the Knoxville Reminder. He began working for the Town Crier, Ltd in June of 1987 where he worked until retirement this year.
Don married Beverly on November 7, 1986 and they shared their life together in Pella, Iowa.
At his death, Don was a member of the 1st Baptist Church of Pella where he sang in the choir, played bells and served on the Mission Board. He and Beverly had the joy of being baptized together in the Des Moines river in 2009.
Don served three years as President of the Pella Noon Kiwanis and along with Beverly was active in the Union Street Players community theater as one of the founding fathers of the organization in 1987. He performed, directed, built sets, served as Treasurer and received the Walk of Fame award in 2014.
He and Beverly enjoyed traveling and visited 8 countries and numerous States during their time together. He enjoyed playing cards and board games and spent many evenings playing with friends.
Don is survived by his wife, Beverly. Two brothers, Danny Graves of Elgin, Texas, Dennis (Bonnie) Graves of Des Moines, Iowa, two nephews Kyle (Susan) Graves of Austin, Texas and Kade Graves of Nashville, Tennessee. Also, stepson David Billings (Janet Gilanyi) of Longmont, Colorado, niece Elizabeth Morris Catania (Joe), great nieces, Sofia Quintana, Liana Catania, and nephew, Daniel Morris (Natasha), and great niece and nephew, Daniella and Santiago Morris.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Thresia Graves. Memorials may be given to Pella 1st Baptist Church, Albia Trinity Church, or Union Street Players.
