Henry A. Raber

Henry A. Raber, 78 of Paynesville, formerly of Bremen, Indiana, joined his Lord and Savior November 8, 2023, at his daughter’s home near Paynesville. Visitation will be from 4-8 pm. Saturday, November 11,2023 at the Johnson Funeral Home in Paynesville. Visitation in Indiana will be at the Berea Christian Fellowship Church on Tuesday, November 14th from 2-5 pm and 6-8pm. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Berea Christian Fellowship in Nappanee, IN. Burial will be in Berea Cemetery.

Henry A. Raber was born on February 21, 1945 in Uniontown, Ohio, the son of Alvin and Rachel (Lapp) Raber. He grew up in Uniontown/Hartville and attended Walnut Grove Elementary. On November 6, 1965, Henry was united in marriage to Martha Sommers. Henry and Martha shared in 54 years of marriage before her death on June 4, 2020. They were blessed with two sons and two daughters. They made their home in Minerva, Ohio, Virginia Beach, VA and Jackson, OH before moving to Nappanee, IN in 1978. He worked for Holiday Rambler for 20+ years and Elite Construction until retirement. After retirement Henry enjoyed delivering RVs across the country.

He was an avid board and card game player. Henry was competitive and wasn’t beyond using some sneaky methods to win. He loved to get others' attention in curious ways; whether a rolled-up newspaper, thrown M&Ms, or bursting into spontaneous song and we’re not talking hymns. Wherever he went he wanted to make others smile. This manifested in practicing his Spanish in restaurants. Or ordering his M&M blizzard “in alphabetical order please!”

 Henry was a faithful member of Berea Christian Fellowship where he served as pastor for 46 years. He loved preaching and connecting with people. Henry was passionate about his Lord. He loved to share his testimony. His heart’s desire was to lead others to Christ. Mornings (and many evenings) were spent reading his Bible with a cup of coffee. He was rarely seen without his Bible. Henry left an imprint on not only friends and family, but all he met along the way.

Henry is survived by his children, Micah Raber, Virginia (Ken) Miller, Rosanna (Jethro) Beiler, and Christian (Gina) Raber; grandchildren Collin (fiance Janessa Bement), Kyle (fiance Abbie Ellis) Gerriana (fiance Dylan Gottwald), Jessica & Jackie Miller, Lucas, Kaitlynn, and Noah Beiler; and siblings, Lavern (Mary) Raber, Edna (Willie) Miller, Laura Sommers, Eli (Jan) Raber, John (Ann) Raber, Walter (Mary Louise) Raber and Ruth (David) Yoder. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha; parents and a brother and sister.

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