The Mass of Christian Burial for Gaylan Lee Graves, 75, of Aberdeen, was at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Aberdeen. Father Mark Axtmann and Father Michael Kapperman were Celebrants.

Burial followed at Bath Memorial Cemetery. Gaylan died Tuesday, July 14, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, Aberdeen.

Gaylan Lee Graves was born on May 20, 1945, to Harold and Ruth (Smith) Graves in Aberdeen. He grew up and attended school in Bath. Gaylan was active in basketball and baseball. After graduating from Bath High School, he attended college in Omaha, Neb. Gaylan married Opal Lewis and to that union two children were born, Chad and Angie. For a short time Gaylan lived in Green Bay, Wis., where he became an avid Green Bay Packers fan.

Gaylan moved back to Aberdeen and on February 14, 1981, he was united in marriage to Shirley Markovetz. Together they had three sons, Brett, Adam and Jayde. Gaylan started working at Viking Glass, then moved to House of Glass where he worked for twenty years. Gaylan worked at Midstates Printing until retiring in 2015. He enjoyed helping Shirley with the children in her daycare.

Gaylan was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He liked putting puzzles together, playing cards, especially Pinochle, and listening to music. He was very talented at woodworking and did many Pinterest projects. He always looked forward to traveling and vacationing with his family, including trips to their log home. Family was very important to Gaylan. His greatest joy came from spending time with Shirley, his children and grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared Gaylan's life are his wife: Shirley of Aberdeen; his children, Chad (Cathy) of Kyle Tex., Angie (Jayson) of Queen Creek, Ariz., Brett (Allison) of Aberdeen, Adam (Rebecca) of Aberdeen, and Jayde (Mariah) of Aberdeen; grandchildren, Cody, Chloe, Cate, Gillian, Morgen, Rylan, Parker, Nolan and McKenna; his sister, Bette (Don) Peckham; mother-in-law, Ket Markovetz; five brothers-in-law; five sisters-in-law; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Preceding Gaylan in death are his parents, Harold and Ruth and two brothers, Donnie and Richard.

Arrangements by Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, Aberdeen. http://www.spitzerfuneral home.com