Derril Gene Graham

  Derril Gene Graham, 92, of Sioux City passed away at a local hospital on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 following a brief illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

  Derril, son of Charles “Doc” and Selma (Garner) Graham, was born July 6, 1931 in Sioux City, IA. and remained a lifelong resident.  He converted to Catholicism in 1960 and became a member of St. Boniface Church, where he served in a variety of volunteer capacities, including usher, Men’s Club, Audit Committee & Finance Board and general handyman. He attended Sioux City public schools and Central High School, graduating in 1949.  

  Derril began working at the age of 6 when he collected empty milk bottles to return to Robert’s Dairy.  He buttered bread for a local bakery, filled candy bar vending machines and too many other jobs to mention.  After high school, he briefly worked as a salesman for Nuway Drug Services before serving in the military as an Airman First Class in Bangor, ME.  He worked on aeronautical electronic systems and was honorably discharged on May 9, 1952.

  On December 27, 1952, Derril was united in marriage to Delores Ann Cussen at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City.   This union was blessed with four children and the family made their home in Sioux City.  They were married for nearly 68 years.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife on November 20, 2020.

  Derril began working for the United States Postal Service as a temporary substitute clerk in 1953.  He held several different positions, including clerk on the Railway Mail Service for nearly 20 years.  In his “spare time” he was a custom remodeler and operated his own private company, Highland Cabinets for many years.  Derril attended Western Iowa Tech in the early 1980s and steadily rose through the ranks at the USPS, serving in various managerial positions in finance, retail, delivery and mail processing departments.  He also served as President of Local 393, National Association of Postal Supervisors, Vice President of American Postal Workers Union and the Siouxland Federal Safety Council before retiring in 1990.

  Derril was extremely proud of his Iowa heritage and a devoted Sioux Citian as is evidenced by his lifelong commitment to service and volunteer activities, including Chairman of The Little Yellow Dog Fund, Knights of Coumbus, Boys of 68, Cub Scout leader, and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and American Legion.     

  Derril’s hobbies included woodworking, golfing, fishing, getting together to play cards with friends and most importantly, any gathering with family.  He was an avid baseball fan (St. Louis Cardinals).  Above all, he loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, especially the annual family trips to Okoboji (and many other lakes), Thanksgiving and fourth of July gatherings.  Every day started off with a cinnamon roll and ended with a phone call to his children.  Derril was loved by everyone he met and his vigilance and exuberant spirit will be dearly missed.

  Derril is survived by his four children: Karen (Risty) Stamoulis of Sioux City, Janet McClary of Cedar Rapids, IA, Mary Jean (Dennis) Morrissey of Cedar Rapids, IA and Steven Graham of Belleville, IL; nine grandchildren: Felicia (Derek) Altenburg, Kristin (Jim) Mundorf, Sarah Stamoulis, Meghan (Josh) Hennings, Carly McClary, Caitlin (Cullen) Speckhals, Kelsey (Matthew) Perry, Kyle Graham and Charlie Graham; and eleven great-grandchildren.

  He was also preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Ann (Drish) Graham; brother, Reverend Graydon Graham, and two sisters, Darlene Miller and Raemonda Perry.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gospel Mission in Sioux City.