Robert  L.  Graber, age 93 of Massillon, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grand-father passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
He was born March 5, 1924, in Massillon the son of  the late Walter and Helen (Kracker) Graber.
Bob was a graduate of Massillon Washington High School where he played football for three Massillon Tiger Football Championships; 1940, 1941 and 1942.  He played one year under Coach Paul Brown.
Bob was a veteran of WWII.  He served in the Army and received a Purple Heart for injuries during the Battle of the Bulge.
He married his high school sweetheart, Noreen Huwig in 1947 and together they raised five children.  
Bob was a carpenter and retired from Krantz Constructions after 38 years of service.  He and his co-worker Jake Stenger installed the beautiful windows at St. Mary's Church.  He constructed an exact replica of St. Mary's Church and Massillon's Opera Block.  Both have been displayed at Massillon Museum.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he was a member of the choir, nave crew and Eucharistic minister and volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Stark County.   
He is survived by wife of 70 years, Noreen (Huwig) Graber; sons and daughters-in-laws, Gary and Tracy Graber, Gregg and Sheila Graber, Grant and Annette Graber; daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Allen Neago; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.  The love of his family was only surpassed by his devotion to his Catholic faith and love of St. Mary's Church.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Cynthia Martinet, brother, Walter C. Graber, and sister, Ruth Dutton.
Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Edward Gretchko celebrant.
Calling hours will be from  9:30 to 10:30 at the church prior to the Mass.    Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery with military honors. 
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mary's Church, 726 First St. N.E., Massillon, OH, 44646 or Community Hospice, 4912 Higbee Ave. N.W. #100, Canton, Ohio  44718.
Condolences to the family may be made here at this site.
Heitger Funeral Homes and Crematory - Massillon Chapel  330-833-3248
 

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