Mark Graham, 55, of Willow Hill, IL, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his parents’ home on May 9, 2025. Born on Halloween—October 31, 1969—Mark was his momma’s little “goblin,” a title he wore with mischievous pride. His childhood was full of laughter, bike crashes (thanks to one persistent sidewalk hole), and stories that still echo in the hearts of those who knew him. One of the earliest: when Mark was just a year old, he absolutely adored his Grandpa Dunlap—and the feeling was mutual. Grandpa would carry him around in a five-gallon bucket while he worked in the yard, calling him “Dougie Doodle Dunlap.” That nickname stuck, especially with Aunt Bonnie, who lovingly called him “Dougie Doodle” for the rest of his life. He delivered newspapers as a boy, worked at Gallo’s during high school, and graduated from Robinson High School in 1987.
Mark held many jobs over the years—at Briggs Pottery (a favorite of his until it closed), Tempco, EH Baare, Dish Network, and finally Evapco, where he spent his last several years working as a rigger. He loved his coworkers and took real pride in what he did—gathering every part needed to build the units, tracking down the hard-to-find ones, and making sure nothing was overlooked. He often said, “That job’s been good to me.” And it had.
Mark wasn’t one for crowds or small talk. He kept to himself and was slow to let people in—but once you were in, you were in for good. He showed up for his people. Every Saturday and Sunday, without fail, he stopped by his parents’ house, bringing Diet Coke and Cherry Lemonade, and checking in not just out of routine, but out of love. “You’re my best friends,” he’d tell them. And he meant it.
He had a quiet loyalty and a soft heart—especially for his nieces and nephews, who were each given goofy nicknames and grief in equal measure. He was protective—especially of his sisters. And he was fiercely devoted to family traditions, most of all at Christmas. It wasn’t Christmas without Mark’s famous lasagna. Lori and their mom made the dip and the M&M cookies, but the lasagna? That was all him. It wouldn’t be the same without it—or without him.
Mark was a reader, especially of Stephen King. But in recent years, another book began shaping him—the Bible. He didn’t always understand it, but he kept reading—and slowly, something in him began to shift. He could feel it. He started pursuing a relationship with Jesus. And on July 6, 2024, he was baptized—alongside his parents—in his sister Lori’s swimming pool. That moment, simple and sacred, marked something eternal. Mark met the One who sees and knows and loves. And today, we praise God that He nudged him at just the right time. Because now, Mark is with Jesus—healed, whole, home.
And so we hold this consolation:
The song of his life didn’t end. It just changed keys.
Because music was always running through Mark’s story. From the plastic “deedle-dee” guitar he strummed as a toddler to the tenor sax in the school band…from late-night jams with buddies to Metallica rumbling through his truck on Main Street…music moved him. Defined him. And in the last stretch of his life, it became something more. He picked up a bass guitar and began playing on the worship team at church alongside friends like Mike Tracy and Sheila Ducommon. The same hands that once cranked up the volume now lifted songs of praise. Every note became an offering. And now—on the far side of pain, the far side of mystery—he joins the eternal worship of heaven, where every song is praise and tears are no more.
Mark is survived by his parents, John & Brenda Graham; his sister & brother-in-law, Lori & Bruce Alspach; his nieces and nephews, Graham Alspach, Mandi Alspach, Madison Miller, Caleb Miller, Logan Miller, and Gabe Miller; and his great-niece, Maisyn Alspach; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa Miller.
A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15th, at the Robinson Free Methodist Church, with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor Aaron Peternel. Burial will be in the Robinson New Cemetery.
In honor of Mark, the family kindly requests that those attending come dressed informally.
Memorial contributions may be made to the “Robinson Free Methodist Church” with envelopes available at the church. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is in charge of arrangements.
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