Betty Jo Graham, 82, Clifton, Formerly of Ashkum

Betty Jo Graham, 82, of Clifton, formerly of Ashkum, passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Merkle-Knipprath Catholic Home in Clifton.

Ms. Graham was born September 8, 1929, a daughter of Roscoe and Ethel Mezo Boswell. She married Benjamin Graham on December 3, 1945 in Mount Vernon, IL and he preceded her in death on July 16, 1979.

Survivors include special friend and long time companion, Ed Mathy; four daughters, Carol Murphy of Collinsville, Patricia (Charles “Chuck”) Goranson of Kankakee, Debra (Carl) Turley of Glouster, OH, and Jan Whitlock of Eddyville; five sons, Jeff (Marla) Graham of Clifton, James “Jim” (Jeanne) Graham of Kankakee, Larry (Kellar) Graham of North Carolina, Dan (Toni) Graham of Chatsworth and Kevin Graham of Kankakee; one brother, Clarence (Donna) Boswell of Evansville, IN; two half-sisters, Sally (Kevin) Lisenby and Karen (Larry) Lyday, all of Mount Vernon; one daughter-in-law, Kay Heninger of Lake Placid, FL; nineteen grandchildren and thirty-four great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Robert “Bob” Boswell; one son-in-law, Roger Murphy; one granddaughter, Katie Graham. Recently deceased is one great-grandson, Dominic Flores.

Ms. Graham loved reading, dancing and sporting events. She was an avid “Cubs” fan.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Rev. Joel Giles will officiate. Burial will be at Sunset Lawn Cemetery in Harrisburg on Thursday, August 2, 2012.

Visitation will run from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Merkle-Knipprath Catholic Home or Hospice of Kankakee Valley.

Please sign the online guest book at knappfuneralhomes.com.