Melvin (Mel) M. Graves, 85, of Dubuque, died on Friday October 23, 2026 at UnityPoint Finley Hospital after suffering from a suspected brain aneurysm.

Visitation will be from 9 A.M. until 10:30 A.M. with a service starting at 11 A.M. at Bread of Life Presbyterian Church, 2155 University Ave on Monday November 2, 2026.  Immediately following, the burial service will be at Linwood Cemetery and a celebration of life will be held at Annabel Lee Barn, 2327 Manson Road, from 1 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.  All friends of Mel are welcome.

Mel was born January 3, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Melvin MacPike Graves Sr, M.D and Dorothy Fisher Graves.  He lived in Warsaw, New York during his father’s residency.  The family moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 1949 where he lived until he went off to college.

Mel began his academic journey at Pocatello High School, earning his college prep diploma in 1959. He then moved on to complete his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts at Johns Hopkins University in 1963.  Mel furthered his education at the University of Chicago, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Hospital and Health Care Facilities Administration and Management in 1965.

He moved to Dubuque, IA in 1976 for his leadership position at the Finley Hospital, where he met his spouse of 49 years, Beverly Graves.

He dedicated the first chapter of his career to healthcare administration. Over the years, he brought vital leadership, care, and management expertise to several major medical centers across the country, serving at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Finley Hospital, and the Milwaukee County Medical Complex.

Among his achievements at Finley Hospital as Executive Director and Administrator, he worked in 1977 with the Dubuque City Council to secure significant funding to provide a modern surgical suite and directed the hospital in acquiring nursing school credentials.  In 1983, he navigated a high-profile contract with a major health insurance company.

In the early 80’s, he served as the United Way Chairperson, and helped raise in excess of $1 million dollars toward its annual campaign, a record amount at that time.

Later in life, Mel transitioned into residential real estate at Brissey Realty, where he served as a full-time real estate agent in Dubuque for 30 years, and was awarded MLS Realtor of the year in 2009.  He also worked at H&R block for several years providing many with tax advice and preparation service.

Beyond his career, Mel invested time and interest in protecting and cultivating the natural beauty of the city he loved. He served faithfully as the Treasurer for the Dubuque Arboretum Association, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support the growth and operations of the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens. He also helped with numerous plays that Beverly produced at Bryant Elementary School and was a board member with Two by Two Character Development. He was a member of the First Congregational Church for 48 years and served in several volunteer capacities.

Survivors include his wife, Beverly, his two sons, Paul and Jon (Laura) Graves; three step children:  Paul (Lisa) Woodward, Kristin (Steve) Vaassen, and Tom (Char) Woodward; two grandchildren, Isabella and Sofia Graves; six step grandchildren, T.J., Austin, Will, Caroline, Rachel and Jake; and three siblings, sisters Nancy Briggs (John) and Linda Graves (Doug Goetz) and brother Robert Graves (Beth).

He will also be missed by his “fur babies” Julius, Dolly and Minnie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his first wife, Ellen Zimmer Graves, mother of his two sons.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to Two by Two Character Development, Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Garden and the Dubuque Regional Humane Society.