Stewart Alan Graham was born February 10, 1939, in Nashville, Michigan and died on July 20, 2023, with his loving wife by his side. Stewart was president of Nashville W. K. Kellogg High School Class of 1957 and organized annual class reunions for his cherished classmates. After high school, he served in the Air National Guard of Michigan and the Reserve of the United States Air Force, where he first began to learn his lifelong trade as a printing professional.
From 1965 through 1977 he was manager and/or owner of multiple commercial printing establishments in Michigan and also published a weekly newspaper, The Olivet Optic. In 1977 he sold the shop and moved to Ada, Ohio, to become Ohio Northern University’s Director of Printing Services, where he remained until his retirement in 2008.
Stewart was active in his community in Michigan as a school board president, a Justice of the Peace, a member of the Rotary Club, the village council and the local historical society, where he remained active until his death. His activities in his Ohio community revolved around events at Ohio Northern University, with a special interest in following the men’s basketball team and singing with the men’s choir.
Stewart was a skillful and dedicated craftsman who felt privileged to be a part of the printing industry’s progression from typesetting to digital technology. He was a founding member of the Lima Area Printing House Craftsmen and served as the charter president of the club, holding various offices throughout his tenure. He also held numerous offices in the district and international levels of the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen, Inc,including International President. In 2001 he was named by this organization as International Craftsman of the Year. He was also an avid collector of old printing equipment, stone lithography, cigar label artwork, historic bricks, books and hobo ephemera.
After retirement Stewart enjoyed cooking, gardening, Indy racing, photography, lithography and tinkering in his “Toy Box”. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready with a joke. His music preferences were varied and included symphony concerts as well as Willie Nelson and anyone’s version of “Amazing Grace”.
He is survived by his wife, Jean Daniel, of Ada, OH, his son Stewart Graham Jr (Chris Cole Graham) of Fort Wayne, IN, his daughter Elizabeth McBee (Steve McBee) of Crawfordsville, IN, his brother Steve Graham (Deb Cooley Graham) of Nashville, MI and his brother Stan Graham of Vermontville, MI. He will also be missed by his stepchildren and their spouses: Erin Daniel Harding (Troy), Eric Daniel (Valentina Marinelli), Mandy Knell Rowland (Chris) and Aimee Knell LaBoy (Jose). He loved and enjoyed five grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Linda Knell Graham and his beloved granddaughter Lauren Graham Rodey, and his sister-in-law, Marabeth Graham. Stewart was loved and admired by many relatives and friends not listed here and sympathy should be extended to them, as well.
Stewart was a generous and caring man who often helped others in need, usually anonymously. He was a firm believer in the motto “Share your Knowledge”. His final unselfish act was to donate his body to The Ohio State University Medical Center for medical teaching purposes. Per his wishes, there will be no funeral service.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
