Leslie Dale Graves
Leslie Dale Graves (Dale) passed away peacefully at Bethesda Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio after an extended illness on December 2, 2025.
A lifelong resident of Dresden, Ohio, Dale was born to the late Leslie and Thelma (Marvin) Graves on September 7, 1935. After attending Jefferson High School, Dale worked as a delivery man for Martin’s Dairy and then for Stone Container Paper Company in Coshocton, Ohio. In the early 1990’s, Dale joined the Longaberger Company and eventually retired as the Assistant Manager of the handle plant.
Always friendly and easy-going, Dale loved to socialize with friends and neighbors in Dresden whether stopping in for a cup of coffee at a local diner or enjoying dinner at the Scotties Den. Dale played high-school football for the Jefferson Jayhawks, and developed a lifelong love of sports. For decades, Dale was a fixture at Tri-Valley football and basketball games every Friday night, often with his good friend Glen Cunningham. During the summers, Dale could be found enjoying the races at the Muskingum County Speedway, and Saturday afternoons were often reserved for watching Ohio State football and basketball games. Dale was also an accomplished woodworker, and he and Aloma traveled around Southeastern Ohio, antiquing and finding furniture to refurbish. After retirement, Dale built several treasured furniture pieces that he gifted to his daughters.
Dale is survived by his of wife of 71 years, Aloma (Lane) Graves of Dresden, and his sister-in-law Sherry Lane, also of Dresden, as well as daughters Paula Graves of Dresden, Laura Atkins (Larry) of Chesapeake, VA and Amber Abbuhl (Tim) of Simsbury, CT. Additionally, Dale was the grandfather of Nate Atkins of Chesapeake, VA and Claire and Wren Abbuhl of Simsbury, CT and a great-grandfather of Sidney and Jameson Atkins of Chesapeake, VA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Gene Farmer and Raymond Farmer, and sisters Carol Park and Wanda Lowe.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in January 2026.
