Ronald Gene Graber, 72 of Hutchinson, went to his eternal
home in heaven Monday morning, November 16, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born Jan. 19, 1937, in Hutchinson, the son of Walter J. and Mabel Stucky Graber. He graduated in 1954 from Pretty Prairie High School. He worked in retail and personnel management in Johnson City, KS, and here in Hutchinson.

He belonged to Westside Baptist Church, where he was a member and current board member. He and his wife Berma served on the Missions Board where their most gratifying moments were spent working with the Sioux Indian Nation in South Dakota.

He married Berma Louise Bontrager Harper. She preceded in death Aug. 15, 2003.

Survivors include: three sons, Wade Graber, Wichita, and Timothy Harper and Chris Harper, both of Hutchinson; three daughters, Cynthia Oliver, Wichita, Jodie Rawlins, Hutchinson, and Julie Valente, Ceres, Calif.; eight grandchildren, Daniel Oliver, Amanda Valente, Kristen Armstrong, Torie Penner, Erin Harper, Casey Harper and Alyssa and Grant Graber; five great-grandchildren, Brianna, Joseph and Elijah Oliver, and Damien and Elysiana Conteras; two brothers, Larry "Jeb," Topeka, and Richard, Hutchinson; and a sister, Neva Crumb, Topeka.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and two brothers, Eldon Dale Graber and Donald Graber.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday Nov. 19, 2009, at Westside Baptist Church, 400 West 12th, Hutchinson, with Pastors Tim Adrian and Ed Bausell presiding. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Penwell-Gabel Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Westside Baptist Church Missions Fund in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.