Elmer Gene or Remle Eugene Graham

Born 1929 in DeKalb, Illinois, died at age 88 on November 25, 2017 at Kettering Medical Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Lucie (Hale) Graham, and two infant brothers, Harold Jr and Wayne. He is survived by his wife, Joan, his loving bride for the last 64 years, and a brother, David (Sue). He is also survived by five sons: Scott (Mary), Jeff, (Susan), Douglas (Linda), Matthew (Bridget), and Bruce (Kim). He is survived by 14 grandchildren: Chris (Qiana), Stephen (Kelly), Julie (Brian) Smigel, Jon (Jenn), Jim (Courtney), Jeffrey, Sarah, Joel (Ellen), Ben (Jaclyn), Lucas, Seth, Matthew Jr, Blake Taylor, and Elizabeth Graham. He is survived by 13 great-grandchildren: Canon, Myra and Linnea Smigel, Winifred Graham, Aaron, Owen, and Hailey Graham, Avery, Rooney and Finley Graham, Ezra and Maria Graham, and Ella Grace. Remle graduated from Iowa State University in 1952. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954, and then worked at Dayton Power and Light in Drafting and Electrical Engineering, earning his certificate for “Professional Engineer” in 1959. He retired from Dayton Power and Light December 1986. He then worked for almost 6 more years at Wright-Patterson AFB in Base Engineering as an Electrical Engineer. He used his engineering skills at home, too, fixing all sorts of electrical and mechanical devices in his basement, often referred to as “Remle’s Repair Shop”. He was instrumental in bringing SAY soccer to St. Helen School in the 1970’s, and he coached soccer and baseball for hundreds of youth. He had a strong interest in trains that dated back to his childhood days in Waukegan, Illinois. Since his retirement from Wright-Patterson AFB in 1993, he has volunteered many hours at the Air Force Museum, Carroll High School, and Cox Arboretum. In 1998, he served on a City of Riverside Task Force to establish a cable TV franchise for all of the city. He loved spending time with his wife, Joan, and they particularly enjoyed going to Dayton Dragon games and grandchildren soccer games together. Remle threw out the first pitch for a Dragons game in 2009, near his 80th birthday, a big thrill for all of us. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St Helen Catholic Church, 605 Granville Place, Dayton, Ohio, 45431. Interment in Calvary Cemetery will follow the Mass. His family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Tobias Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd. at Grange Hall Rd. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of Elmer Eugene Graham to St. Helen Church (designate your gift to either the Education Endowment Fund or the Tuition Assistance Fund), to Cox Arboretum, or to Carroll High School. A special thanks to all the caregivers at Lincoln Park Manor, Home Instead, Visiting Angels, Kettering Medical Center, Kettering Home Care, and Dr. James Derksen for the kind care Remle received as he Journeyed through his final days and hours. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.