Clarence Graber

Clarence Graber

Clarence Graber, 91, of North Newton, passed away Monday (Sept. 7, 2009) surrounded by family at Kansas Christian Home. He was born on Jan. 17, 1918, in Pretty Prairie. He was the oldest son of the late John P. J. and Katie B. (Flickner) Graber. He was the oldest of six siblings. He attended Pretty Prairie High School. He married Hilda E. Kaufman Feb. 1, 1941, at Eden Mennonite Church in rural Moundridge. She survives of the home in North Newton. After farming in Nickerson for a short time, they later moved to El Dorado, where he was a farmer and rancher and did some custom harvesting. He was a Butler County Farm Bureau member, belonged to AARP, and was a founder and board member of the El Dorado CO-OP.

Clarence loved music and was a charter member of the El Dorado Barbershop men's chorus. Transferring their membership from Pretty Prairie Mennonite Church, they joined Rosalia United Methodist Church, where he was the Sunday school superintendent for many years. Because of failing health, they moved to Newton in 1993, where they transferred their membership to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.

He also is survived by his brothers, Raymond W. and Betty Jo Graber of Weatherford, Texas, and F. Jack and Annie Graber of Mechanicstown, Ohio; four children, Sherril K. and A.G. Arnold of Mobile, Ala., Max R. and Janice Graber of Arlington, Texas, Bruce J. and Rhonda Graber of Derby, and Jan G. and Gary Cleveland of Manhattan. He has seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents and brothers, Willard, Harold J. and Morris L. Graber.

Visitation with family members will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Carlson Colonial Funeral Home, 200 S. Star, El Dorado, KS 67042.

Service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Walnut Valley Memorial Park in El Dorado.

Memorial may be sent to the American Diabetes or the American Cancer Association in care of the funeral home.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the staff of Kansas Christian Home and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice for their loving and attentive care of their husband, father and grandfather. We also will never forget the many acts of kindness shown to him by many of you with your cards, letters, visits and words of encouragement.