Obituary of Mark Allen Graham

Mark A. Graham, 39, of South Pekin, passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at his home. He was born on December 29, 1985, to Louis and Susan (Stolp) Graham. He is survived by his father, Louis (Kim) Graham of Washington; his children, Addison and Conner Graham of Lacon; his grandmother, Jeannette Long of Washburn; his 2 uncles, Charles (Katherine) Stolp and Robert Stolp; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Graham and his uncle, Vincent Leason. Mark graduated from Lowpoint-Washburn High School in 2004. In junior high, he was an outstanding baseball player and also ran track. He broke a record that stood for 26 years in the 200-meter race. In high school, he played football and enjoyed that tremendously. He was a free safety and loved that position. He also ran track and was all-conference in 100 meters, 200 meters, as well as 4-400 meters, winning many awards along the way. In 2006, Mark was accepted into Universal Technical Institute’s auto body repair program in Houston, following in his father’s footsteps. He worked his entire career at Gerber Collision as an auto body technician. Mark loved his children more than anything and cherished the time he spent with them. He would cheer Conner on at football games from the sidelines, while watching Addison cheer for the team. He enjoyed his life in Lacon and his many friends there, driving his golf cart around town with his family. He loved driving his dad’s boat and enjoyed his time on the water, cooking out at the beach and watching his kids swim. Cremation rites have been accorded. Cremation Specialist of Illinois is assisting the family. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at the Lacon Area Community Center, 405 N. Washington St., Lacon, IL. Online condolences may be left at www.GaryDeitersFH.com.