Merrill F Raber

Merrill F. Raber passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton, Kansas. He was born February 13, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, to Frankin B. and Clara (Jennings) Raber.

Merrill met Beulah “Boots” Esch at Hesston Academy (now Hesston College) and they married on December 31, 1954, at Sunnyslope Mennonite Church in Phoenix, AZ.

He served his 1-W Alternative Service with Mennonite Central Committee in Akron PA, then briefly moved to CA, getting his master’s degree in social work (MSW) from USC, before finally settling in Newton, KS, where he worked as a psychiatric social worker for Prairie View from 1963-1985, getting his Ph.D. from K-State in 1982. He then entered private practice until retirement in 2008.

A pillar of the community, Merrill volunteered and served on Boards of Directors for a number of different local, state, and national organizations. He served as Mayor of Newton in the 1980’s and President of the Chamber of Commerce 1992-1993. He and Boots have been members of Bethel College Mennonite Church since 1963.

Avid travelers, Merrill and Boots visited many faraway places in Europe, Asia, and South America, where they were active with Kansas Paraguay Partners for over 50 years.

Merrill is survived by his wife of 70 years Boots; children Michael (Sally) Raber, Barbara (Joe) Preheim, and Steven (Jill) Raber; grandchildren Lindsay Raber, Cody Raber, Benjamin Preheim, Sarah (Randall) Staffeldt, Jake Raber, Max Raber, Kate Raber; great-granddaughter: Maggie Staffeldt, and other extended family.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Chester Raber and sister Ann Raber.

Merrill will be greatly missed!

A memorial service will be held on May 3, 2025 at 11 AM at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton.

Memorials may be made to Bethel College Mennonite Church or Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and left in the care of Petersen Funeral Home.