Graber, Milton C. "Tony" (1914-2004)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2004 May 17 p. 2

Birth date: 1914 Jun 10

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2004 May 31 p. 8

text of obituary:

MILTON C. GRABER

Milton C. “Tony” Graber, 89, of Hesston, Kan., died May 16, 2004. He was born June 10, 1914, to Chris and Mary (Stucky) Graber near Moundridge, Kan.

Family responsibilities began early, and by age 10 he was plowing and caring for the horses. In 1934, when his father sold half of his oil rights to a driller, the first oil well in the area was drilled on their farm. He worked several years for Continental Oil, digging burn pits, slush pits and “cellars.”

He married Alta Kaufman in September 1939 at First Mennonite Church of Christian in Moundridge.

They lived on a farm east of Hesston. Along with farming, he built round top machine sheds with his brother Rich and graded roads for Emma Township. He took pride in hard work and doing a job well.

Serving the church was important to him. He spent many hours working as a trustee, teaching Sunday school and helping to build the new church. Since he enjoyed hosting people, and his wife was an excellent cook, their home became a place where family, workers and friends would eat and discuss events.

When his youngest son Jim decided to farm, he and Alta built their dream house just north of the farmstead. He built a machine shed and planned to spend many hours building, repairing and adapting farm equipment. However, he soon began to lose his sight due to glaucoma. He continued to feed sheep, buck bales, dig tree holes and help the family in any way that he could.

In 2002, they moved to Schowalter Villa in Hesston. After Alta’s death, he was forced to adjust to the loss of her eyes and her companionship. He relied on the Villa staff and enjoyed their humor and support, always expressing his gratitude for what they did for him.

Survivors include three children, Betty Hartzler and her husband, Ken, Jerry and his wife, Pat, and Jim and his wife, Ruby; and seven grandchildren.

Services were held at First Mennonite Church of Christian.