Graber, John C. (1870-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Jun 5 p. 8

Birth date: 1870 Feb 26

text of obituary:

JOHN C. GRABER

John C. Graber, son of Christian and Elizabeth Conrad Graber, was born Feb. 26, 1870, in Washington County, Iowa, and peacefully passed away at noon May 22, 1958, at the farm home where he had lived his entire life with the exception of about a year. He reached the age of 88 years, two months, and 26 days.

He was married to Elizabeth Nebel on Dec. 29, 1898. to this union ten children were born.

He was preceded in death by his wife, an infant daughter, two sons, Oscar and Ezra, two sisters and two brothers. Surviving are four sons, Ira, Albert, and Lest of Crawfordsville, and Louis of Hampton, Iowa; three daughters, Ora, Orpha, and Mabel of Crawfordsville; and one granddaughter, Carol Graber of Davenport, Iowa. Three brothers and two sisters also survive.

He accepted Christ as his personal Saviour in his youth. He was baptized on Dec. 8, 1895, by Rev. H. J. Allebach, and received into the membership of the Eicher Mennonite Church, where he remained a faithful member until his death. He always took an interest and active part in the life of the church, serving as a deacon for many years. Through extensive reading and many contacts with Christian workers, he remained well informed on church and conference activities until recent months, even though unable to attend services for some years.

He knew the rigors and hardships of pioneer life. When his father passed away, he helped father his nine younger brothers and sisters. In 1916 when his companion was taken from him by death, he was again faced with the responsibility of being a mother as well as a father to his family of eight small children. He accepted these experiences as a part of life and met them with strong faith and courage, never doubting the wisdom or the assurance of sufficient strength from his Heavenly Father to meet each responsibility as it presented itself. He loved his family and tried in every way to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of those near him. His presence in the home will be greatly missed, but the memories of his life will always be cherished.

Funeral services were held at the Eicher church on the afternoon of May 24, with H. E. Nunemaker and Simon Gingerich in charge.

The Mennonite obituary: 1958 Jun 10 p. 367