Sarah Graber

Sarah C. (Herschberger) Graber, 74 years, of Arthur, IL passed away at 1:54 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at Sunnyside Mennonite Church, Arcola, IL. Larry Rocke officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was planned at the church, Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and, on Friday, October 8, 2010 from 2:00P.M. to 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. The Edwards Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.

Sarah was born November 22, 1935, one mile south of Arthur on the Moultrie-Douglas County Line Road, on her parents’ farm, Chris E. and Amelia (Bontrager) Herschberger.

She married Jacob LeRoy Graber on April 13, 1954 in Douglas County. They were married for 43 years. Jacob died on October 27, 1997. They lived near Manteno, outside Findley, in Cooks Mills, and in Arthur.

Sarah is survived by four children: Ruth and her husband Rich Sparks, Washington, DC; Ken and his wife Suzanne, Milwaukee, WI; Dale and his wife Martha, St. Paul, MN; and Lori and her husband Bradley Howell, Arthur, IL; and by nine grandchildren.

Her six brothers are: Ervin C. Herschberger (deceased) and his wife Esther; Levi C. Herschberger and his wife Edna of Arthur; Eli A. Herschberger and his wife Anna Marie of Arthur; Monroe C. Herschberger and his wife Verna of Sullivan; Chris Herschberger Jr. and his wife Fannie of Bloomfield, OH; and Oba C. Herschberger and his wife Lorene of Sullivan. Her seven sisters are: Katie Miller of Arthur; Irma Schrock and her husband Andy of Bloomfield, IA; Ella Diener and her husband Ben of Arthur; Lydia Yoder and her husband Levi of Wautoma, WI; Fannie Helmuth and her husband Orie of North Carolina; Viola Schrock of Arthur; Mary Yoder and her husband Andy of Ava, IL.

Sarah was a matriarch; a mother, a grandmother, a farmer, a school bus driver, the hub of social communication at the watering hole in Arthur and, most recently, drove Amish school children and teachers to their respective schools. She was a beloved and generous friend, to all.
Donations in memory of Sarah to: Sunnyside Mennonite Church, c/o Rev. Larry Rocke, 470 E County Road, 675 North, Tuscola, IL 61953, C/O Music Fund.