Edward DeGraw

Edward DeGraw, 92, a well-known reporter and sports editor with the Times Reporter and loving husband and father, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and son in Union Hospital at Dover on December 17, 2016 following a period of declining health.
Born in Alliance on April 11, 1924, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Margaret (Chroniger) DeGraw. After graduating from Alliance High School in 1942, Ed went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from the former Mount Union College.
His first newspaper beat was covering Sebring, Ohio for the Alliance Review. There, he established numerous friendships and began a lifelong love for journalism. In 1967, Ed and his wife, the former Nancy A. Chapple, relocated to Dover, where he joined the editorial staff with the former Daily Reporter. After retiring from The Times Reporter in 2001, Ed did stints with both WJER and The Budget newspaper.
Ed loved baseball and gardening. He was a published author writing, “The Only Game in Town: A History of Baseball in Tuscarawas County, Ohio”. He was inducted into the Cy Young Tuscarawas County Old Timers Baseball Hall of Fame. Ed was also the recipient of the University of Mount Union M Club Distinguished Service Award and the Zeisberger-Heckewelder Award.
In addition to his loving wife, Nancy, whom he wed in the First Christian Church in Alliance on June 17, 1956; Ed is survived by his son, Jeff (Mary) DeGraw of Lockport, Illinois and his son, Matt; his daughter of New Philadelphia; two granddaughters; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover on Wednesday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. At 6:30, friends will share in memories and music.
Memorial contributions in Ed’s memory may be directed to the University of Mount Union Athletic Fund, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, Ohio, 44601.