Donald Raber 001

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Donald Raber
Date Of Birth:06/11/1935
Date Of Death:09/06/2012
Service Date:Funeral service at 10:00 am on Monday, September 10, 2012 at First United Church in Gridley, IL. Visitation on Sunday from 4-8 pm at the Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso.

Donald R. Raber

GRIDLEY - Donald R. Raber, 77, of Gridley died at 6:36 a.m. Thursday (Sept. 6, 2012) at his home, after a courageous battle with brain cancer, surrounded by his loving family.

 

Don was born June 11, 1935 in Bloomington, the son of Lloyd C. Raber and Alma M. Schirch Raber. He married Carolyn Ann Riddle on November 29, 1964 in Weldon.

 

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn, and his children, Amy (Gordon) Koerner, Washington; Sara (J.C.) Zimmerman, Saybrook and Douglas (Amy) Raber of Gridley. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Andrew, Alyssa and Abigail Koerner; Brittany, Macey, Carley and Levi Zimmerman; and Addison and Jacob Raber; great-grandson Jaydon Brewbaker; and his sisters, Dolores (Everett) Gapen of Gilbert, AZ and Cheryl (James) Miller of Wyanet, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant twin brother, Ronald Raber.

 

Don grew up in rural Graymont, IL. He graduated from Flanagan High School and was in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. He farmed all his life. He was a member of the former Meadows Mennonite Church and presently attended the First United Church in Gridley. He served on the Meadows Cooperative Board, Graymont Cooperative Board, Chenoa School Board, Meadows Mennonite Church Board, Spare N'Share Board and the Federal Housing Authority Board. His hobbies included woodworking, attending activities of his grandchildren, walking and playing shuffleboard. After retiring, Don and Carolyn spent winters in Arizona and later in Florida.

 

Funeral services will be held at First United Church in Gridley at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10 with Pastor Andy Huette officiating. Visitation will be at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home in El Paso from 4:00 -8:00 pm on Sunday and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Gridley Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Illinois Cancer Care Foundation in Peoria, IL or OSF Hospice.

 




  • From: Dawn and Brian Conway
    Location:Normal, IL

    Carolyn and Family, Clint had just told me about Don a couple of weeks ago. It was good to see both of you at Menard's last year just before Christmas. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take care, Dawn and Brian Conway


  • From: Stacie Hoselton-Casner
    Location:Chenoa

    I am so sorry for your loss...May you all have fond memories of your husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and brother that you will carry on forever. He was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed. Thoughts and prayers to all!! Hugs to all also - Stacie & family