He was born in Canton, IL on May 23, 1953 to Richard and Mary (Stockham) Graham.
He is survived by two children, Scott (Jaclyn Gragnani) Graham of Barrington, IL and Kadi (Brandon) Bliss of Nashville, TN; three brothers, Roger (Linda) Graham of Ipava, IL, Monte (Janet) Graham of Havana, IL, and Rick (Shannon Voyles) Graham of Lewistown, IL; his loving partner Jeanne Dams and her children, Elizabeth (Scott Barker) Dams, Cassie (Mike) Myers, and Jason Dams, and all his grandkids, Harper, Hudson, Anthony, Mia, Kennedy, Gavin, Jaylee, Jenna, Lincoln, Julia, Blain, Jake, and Braden.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gary (Ruth) Graham, and Tim (Donna) Graham.
Ned graduated Western Illinois University with his Bachelor of Science and worked as a math teacher and baseball coach for 43 years in Cuba school district, Lewistown school district, VIT school district, Steelville, MO school district, and the Spoon River Academy. During this time, he touched the lives of many students and baseball players. He was the head coach of the Lewistown 1993 State Champion team, 1994 runner up team, 1990 third place team, 1991 Elite Eight team, and 1998 Elite Eight team. He was a member of the IL High School Baseball Coaches Association and was inducted in the IL High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In his free time, Ned enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, playing pickleball, hide and seek, teaching them math, and attending sporting events.
He was an avid golfer, spending most of his time at the Wee-Ma-Tuk Country Club where he got two holes in one.
Traveling was also a joy for Ned. He liked to spend winters in Gulfport, MS with Jeanne, Monte, Janet, Marilyn, and Randy, where they would golf together. He also enjoyed family kayak and guys golfing annual trips.
Last, Ned kept in touch with his class of 1971 and enjoyed their annual get togethers.
Ned was known and loved by many, and will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be held from 10 AM – Noon on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Sedgwick Funeral Homes & Crematory in Canton, IL. Service will be held at Noon the same day. Joey “Joe Joe” McLaughlin will officiate. Burial will follow service at Summum Cemetery in Summum, IL, officiated by Travis Koster. Memorials may be made to LCHS Alumni Association or Fulton County Humane Society. To view Ned’s DVD or to make an online condolence you may go to www.sedgwickfuneralhomes.com
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