Eugene Donald Graham Sr., 83, of Cranberry Township passed away Monday at Concordia of Cranberry.

Born March 22, 1932, in Cranberry Township, he was the only child of the late Donald Graham and Mary (Rape) Graham. Eugene was born into an established farm family that was ongoing since 1796. Eugene took over farming at a young age when his father became terminally ill.

Brookvue Acres, the family farm, is located in Cranberry Township. Gene married his wife, Dee, in 1952 and they raised their family in a home built by the farm's founder, Matthew Graham Sr., Gene's ancestor. The dairy farm was Gene and Dee's passion, which they developed into one of Butler County's top dairy herds.

Gene was an active member of the community during his life. He was a member of the Cranberry Planning Commission, a board member of the Farm Bureau and a member of the Portersville Steam Show. He was a regular attendee at the One Room School House picnic. He had many hobbies including: card club, pool club, volleyball club and poker club, and he was a Lionel train enthusiast.

Through his love of farming, Gene has won many awards, including but not limited to The Five-Acre Corn contest, Three Year Average Corn contest and Butler County Farm Family of the Year in 1974. Throughout his life Gene continued to give to his community by working with Cranberry Township to create Graham Park. Upon retiring, Gene and Dee pursued their dream of traveling the world. Some of their favorites were China, Scotland and New Zealand to name a few.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving wife, Mary (Dee) Louise (Mihalow); his daughters Deborah (Peter) Stephenson, Valerie (Donald) Marburger, Diana (Blaine) Wolfe and Vicky (David) English; and his son, Dave.

He was blessed with 11 grandchildren and their spouses, Melissa, Matthew, Eugene III, Sara, Jared, Ian, Amanda, Brandon, Megan, Gabrielle and Levi. His family also includes Skylar and Antonia, his two great-granddaughters.

In addition to his parents, Eugene is preceded in death by his beloved son, Eugene Donald Graham Jr.

GRAHAM — The family of Eugene Donald Graham Sr., who died Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, will welcome friends and family to pay their respects from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Boylan Funeral Home, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.The funeral ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter's Reformed Church, 320 E. Grandview Ave., with the Rev. Jim Bertoti, officiating. Friends are asked to please meet at the church.He will be laid to rest at the Sylvania Hills Cemetery next to his parents, following a luncheon held at the church.If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Butler County 4-H Development Fund or St. Peter's Reformed Church.Expressions of sympathy of may be shared with the Graham family at www.boylanfamilyservices.com.