Hazel Jean Raber

Hazel Jean Raber, 84, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 10, 2020, with her loving husband by her side at Linda White Hospice House Evansville, Indiana.

Jean was born in Lincoln, Illinois, August 20, 1935, the daughter of Frederick Wilhelm and Hazel Bell (Beckers) Reinders. She graduated from Mt. Pulaski High School in 1953 where she was drum major and editor of the school paper. Jean went on to attend Eastern Illinois University, serving as president of Delta Zeta Sorority for one year.

While attending Eastern Illinois University, she met her husband Ralph Raber. They married April 15, 1956, in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois.  The newlyweds took residence in Ralph’s hometown of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and later moved to rural Mt. Carmel where they farmed and raised three sons. They were members of First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel. Jean was active in Farm Bureau. She served six years on the Illinois State Farm Bureau Committee. Jean was the first woman to serve on the Illinois State Farm Service Agency Board. She was also active in the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee on the state and local levels.

Jean was a happy and loving person. She loved traveling with her husband. Jean was a devoted Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Kentucky basketball fan. Quilting was her passion and her fondest hobby.  She was a member of the National Quilters Museum in Paducah, Kentucky.  Jean expressed she had lived a happy and fulfilling life.

Left to cherish Jean’s memory is her husband Ralph of 63 years of marriage; sons, Mike (Cathy) Raber, Tim (Davi) Raber and Jeff (Susan) Raber; grandchildren, Ryan (Erin) Raber, Abby Raber and fiancé Craig Watson, Gabe Raber, Nick (Kayla) Raber and Audrey (Ben) Woodard; great grandchildren, Bo, Eli and Emalyn Raber; sister, Joan Stahly; and several nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Roy Beckers and Donald Beckers.

Jean’s family would like to extend a special thanks to their cousin Emily Teague, friends Jerry Hocking, Don and Brenda Bosecker and the caring staff of Deaconess Midtown, Deaconess Gateway and Linda White Hospice House.

Visitation for Jean will be Friday, March 13, 2020, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Short Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, Mt. Carmel, Illinois. 

The funeral service will take place Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home, with burial following at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage donations to the Linda White Hospice House, Evansville, Indiana.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com

Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Raber family.

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