Graves, Isaac (1874-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 May 17 p. 6

Birth date: 1874 Jan 19

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1956 Jul 12 p. 8

text of obituary:

ISAAC GRAVES

Isaac Graves was born Jan. 19, 1874 in Clefeld, Russia, the son of Henry and Katherine (Giesbrecht) Graves.

The departed immigrated to this country with his father, brothers and sisters in 1884. One of the brothers passed away on the trip.

He received his elementary school training in the Alexanderwohl community. He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer Jesus Christ on May 14, 1894, by Elder Jacob Buller and joined the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member he remained until his death.

He was married Jan. 25, 1898 to Susanna Warkentin, with whom he shared joys and sorrows for over 58 years. They had the privilege of celebrating their silver wedding anniversary in 1923 and their golden anniversary in 1948.

Mr. Graves made the Alexanderwohl community his home, except for a few years when he lived in Medford, Okla. In 1908 the parents moved from the farm and lived in Goessel, then later moved to Hillsboro. In 1920 they moved to the farm again, where they made their home until 1936 when they moved back to Hillsboro, Kan.

The departed experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life but always had implicit faith in his Saviour. He fully believed “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Family devotions and daily Scripture reading was never forgotten. He read through the Bible several times.

He enjoyed fairly good health all of his life. Toward the evening of his life he suffered a number of strokes, which caused his death. He was taken to the Salem Hospital in Hillsboro on Feb. 28. He passed away May 9, 1956. He reached the age of 82 years, three months and 20 days.

He leaves to mourn his death his deeply sorrowing wife, Susanna and the following children: Susanna, Mrs. John Hiebert and family, Newton, Anna, Mrs. John Buller and family, Peabody, Jacob and his wife Helen and family, Walton, Katharina, Mrs. Walter Voth and husband, Durham, Isaac and his wife Elsie and family, Burns, Justin, Mrs. David Neufeld and husband, Hillsboro, also 16 grandchildren and one step-grandchild; 17 great-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild, one brother-in-law and six sisters-in-law, and many other relatives and friends. One grandchild and all his brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

Funeral services were conducted in the Bergen Funeral Home and at the Alexanderwohl Church on May 12, 1956, conducted by Rev. P. A. Wedel and assisted by Rev. Curt. Boese of the Walton Mennonite Church.