Published: June 27, 2008 09:29 pm      

Ernest Graber

Aug. 19, 1931 - June 26, 2008

God saw Ernest Graber getting weary. He did what He thought best, as He took him in his arms and said, “Come and rest” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2008, in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Davis County on Aug. 19, 1931, the son of Elmer and Elizabeth Stoll Graber. He married Erma Miller on Nov. 2, 1952, and she survives.

Ernest and his wife, Emma, owned and operated Graber Supply, Amboy. He and his wife lovingly raised 11 children. A man of great faith and integrity, he was a member of Bethany Fellowship Church, where he served as a pastor for many years.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Emma, are sons, Benjamin Graber and his wife, Miriam, Bunker Hill, Raymond Graber and wife Laura, Amboy, Carl Graber and wife Linda, Kokomo, Kenneth Graber and wife Rita, Bunker Hill, and Ronald Graber and wife Waneda, Amboy; daughters, Carolyn Beachy and her husband, Marvin, Amboy, Mary Ellen Knepp and husband Phillip, Macon, Miss., Tillie Litchy and husband Mervin, New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada, Linda Yoder and husband Richard, Amboy, Elmina Hochstedler and husband Keith, Amboy, Roseanna Graber, Amboy; brothers, Wilmer Graber, Peru, Lester Graber and wife Patty, Kokomo, Benjamin Graber and wife Sylvia, Crawford, Miss.; sister, Ruth Otto, Cannelburg; 51 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother and two grandchildren.

A service celebrating the life of Ernest E. Graber will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Bethany Fellowship Church, 500 N. 500 East, Howard County, with Darlton Bontrager and Marvin Beachy officiating. Burial will be in the Christner Cemetery, Miami County. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Bethany Fellowship School, 5169 N. 600 E., Howard County.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bethany Fellowship Missions Fund.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Laird Funeral Home, Amboy.