Graber, Jonathan P. L. (1888-1942)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1942 Dec 8 p. 13

Birth date: 1888 Dec 11

text of obituary:

Jonathan P. L. Graber ward geboren bei Freeman, S. Dakota den 11. Dez. 1888 als Sohn von Peter Graber und Elizabeth Graber (Gering). Er genoß seine Schulbildung in der Distrikt-Schule und auch im Freeman College. Am 28. Juni 1908 wurde er getauft von Joseph Kaufman und in die Salem-Zion Gemeinde aufgenommen. Am 25. April 1915 verehelichte er sich mit Fennie Kaufman mit welcher er 27 Jahre Freud und Leid teilte. Drei Töchter wurden ihnen geboren: Grace, Della und Faye. Seit den letzten 10 Jahren litt er an Lympho-Blastoma und mußte viel aushalten. Den 5. Nov. mußte er sich legen und nach 2 Wochen, den 20. in früher Morgenstunde nahm er von den Seinigen, die sein Bett umstanden, Abschied mit den Worten. “Meet me up there.” Alt geworden 53 J. 11 M. und 9 Tage. Er hinterläßt seine Gattin, drei Töchter, einen Schwiegersohn, die Alte Mutter, zwei Brüder, vier Schwestern und viele Freunde die seinen frühen Tod betrauern. Die Beerdigung fand statt den 22. Nov. Die Prediger Walter Schrag und H. Albert Claassen sprachen Worte des Trostes.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1943 Jan 12 p. 13

text of obituary:

JONATHAN P. L. GRABER was born near Freeman, South Dakota, on December 11, 1888, the son of Peter Graber and Elizabeth Graber, nee Gering. He attended freeman Junior College for several terms. On June 28, 1908, he was baptized by Rev. Joseph Kaufman, and received into the Salem-Zion Mennonite Church. On April 25, 1915, he was united in marriage with Fannie Kaufman. To them three daughters were born, Grace, Della, and Faye.

In 1932, he submitted to a serious operation. At the time, the attending surgeon diagnosed the ailment as cancer. However, it has since been definitely ascertained that it was not cancer, but an equally fatal disease known as Lympho-Blastoma. Shortly after this operation, upon the advice of his brother, Dr. B. P. Graber, he went to Chicago where he received radium treatments by eminent physicians. For some time it seemed that the deceased might again regain good health, but the deadly disease continued its destructive work. A little more than a year ago, recurring pains became so severe that he was compelled to seek once more the help of doctors. His brother-in-law, Dr. E. J. Kaufman, took him to Rochester where he received a very thorough examination which definitely revealed that he was suffering from Lympho-Blastoma, a rare disease. More radium treatments were advised, and the deceased submitted to such treatments for some time, but apparently without results. On November 4, he was forced to go to bed. All that human skill and kindness could do was done for him, but death could not be denied this time. He died on November 20, in the circle of his faithful wife and daughters, to whom he said "Meet me up there."

The deceased, in his lifetime, was a great admirer of nature, and he was never more content than when surrounded by the great wonders of the universe, not constructed by human hands, but by the creator himself. In his home can be found many stuffed birds and animals, his own handiwork. he was a hard worker, a good husband and a loving father.

He is survived by his wife and three daughters, and a son-in-law, also his aged mother, two brothers and four sisters.