Richard Raber

Richard D. Raber, age 94, of Battle Creek, passed away Saturday, October 10, 2015 at the Bronson at Home Hospice Residence. He was born August 6, 1921 in Fort Wayne, Indiana the son of Donald and Grace (Overdeer) Raber. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Evelyn (Boland) Raber; 2 daughters, Kerry (John) Coomer of Sturgis and Janet (Roger) Small of Lansing; 6 grandchildren, Beth (Richard) Ringmar of Sturgis, Steve Small of West Columbia, TX, Jennifer (Rick) Landstrom of Lansing, Erin Coomer (Philip Treib) of Ann Arbor, Erik Small of San Francisco, CA and John R. Coomer of Sturgis; 10 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren, and several special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 granddaughters; Amy Lyn Coomer in 1977 and Cathy Jo (Coomer) Moore in 2015; also two sisters, Lois (Raber) Slain and Bonnie (Raber) Sommerfeldt. He was a graduate of Fort Wayne Central High School in 1939 and served in the U.S. Army 1940 – 1945, serving first with the 5th Division in Iceland and later with the 69th Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operation, being awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, as well as several service medals and 3 Battle Stars. He was employed by the Kellogg Company for 35 years, mainly in the Paper Division as a foreman, retiring in 1981. An active member of Lakeview Baptist Church since 1956, he served on various boards, the XYZ Club, and for 16+ years he enjoyed working with other volunteers as Volunteer Coordinator at the Neighborhood Food Pantry/Lakeview Site. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, fishing and traveling, having visited all 50 states, Europe, Newfoundland, Canada and the Caribbean, also wintering in Florida the month of March for 13 years. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.  The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015 at the funeral home with Rev. Adam Metzger officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Lakeview Site Food Pantry or the Lakeview Baptist Church. www.henryfuneralhome.org

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