James Leroy Graver

James LeRoy Graver, 79, of Carlisle, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 22, 2013 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Mar. 25, 1934 in Cumberland County. He was the son of the late Adrian LeRoy and Martha Barrick Graver.

His employments consists of working as a mechanic at Don Schlusser's Truck Stop, Over-the-road Truck Driver for Arco Auto Carrier and he was self-employed with his own Excavating Business. His last job was working for the PA Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment operator retiring in 1994. His greatest enjoyments after retirement were working on his never ending honey dew list of which he was a perfectionist at and spending time with his loving family as he traveled on many vacations with them. He also enjoyed sports; he was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State Nittany Lions fan and he enjoyed watching NASCAR. Some of his greatest enjoyments where when he attended the Philadelphia Phillies games with his grandsons. He was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Plainfield. He was Past President of the Fraternal Orders of Eagles #1299, receiving a PA Eagle of the Year Award in recognition of his dedication to his Aerie, The State Aerie, and The Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a lifetime member of White Circle Lodge, Elks Lodge #578 and The Mechanicsburg Club. He was also a member of Sons of Amvets.

James is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Arlene Schlusser Graver; four daughters, Sharon (husband James) Gross, Cathy (husband Gerry) Yorlets, Wanda Jean Graver and Sondra (husband James) Piper, all of Carlisle. He had fourteen grandchildren, Jody (husband Timothy) Rhody, Nicholas Etter, Jamie (husband Joshua) Mitchell, Michael (wife Karen) Etter, Jason Shughart, Michelle (husband Chad) Baker, James A. Graver, Joshua (wife Julie) Swartz, Ashley Swartz, Garret (wife Chelsey) Piper, Casey Swartz and step grandchildren Bridgette Piper, Denise (husband Rodney) Harman and James A. (wife Kimberly) Gross. He had thirteen great-grandchildren, seven step great-grandchildren and three step great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim is also survived by two sisters, Doris (husband Elwood) Jones of Plainfield, Patricia McKeehan of Carlisle; and a brother Robert (wife Betsy) Graver of St. Cloud, FL. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two daughters, Fonda Jane, Dec. 25, 1960 and Debra Kay Graver, Apr. 27, 1972; one great-grandchild, Carly Arlene Mitchell, May 27, 2010; brother-in-law Edgar F. McKeehan, Jr., July 27, 2001; and his step father Robert Ardell Graver, Mar. 6, 2011.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013 at Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 219 N. Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA with Reverend Jack Larson officiating. A viewing will be held from 9:00 am until the time of the service at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Westminster Memorial Gardens, 1159 Newville Road, Carlisle, PA following the services. There will be an Eagles Service conducted by Eagles Aerie #1299 prior to the Funeral Service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fraternal Order of Eagles earmarked for Cancer Research Fund, 26 East High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013.