Donald D. Reber

Don Reber,93, of Goshen, passed away Monday, September 16, 2019, at Greencroft Healthcare.

Don was born on November 12, 1925 on the family farm in Ruby, Nebraska to Noah and Cora (Hershberger) Reber.

On June 16, 1946 he married Barbara K. Bender in Milford, Nebraska. Barbara preceded him in death January 31, 2012. Don married Elizabeth (Glick) Granfield on March 29, 2014.

She survives along with four daughters, Karen Sue Senft of Goshen, Beth Ann Reber Wenger of Dayton, Virginia, Mary Kay (Dan) Hostetler of Rochester, Minnesota, and Carol Jean (Larry) Brundege of Moneta, Virginia; a son, Jon (Kimberly) Reber of Columbia, New Jersey; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Kenneth Reber and sisters, Berniece (Paul) Yoder and Marguerite (Darold) Roth.

Don served in the Navy as a radioman aboard the USS Virgo.

He graduated from Milford High School and attended Hesston College. He received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen Theological Seminary.  In 1952 Don became a missionary to Japan where he and his wife served for 14 years. In Hokkaido Don began The Mennonite Hour radio program and then was pastor at the Tokyo Mennonite Church.

Upon returning to the United States Don worked in marketing with Navajo Freight Lines, Mitsui and Company, Starcraft and Mennonite Media Ministries. His hobbies during retirement included stain glass work, model airplanes, golf, woodworking and reading. He returned to Japan for two years to do wedding ministry in both Tokyo and Sapporo.

A Goshen resident since 1976, he was a member of College Mennonite Church. There will be no public visitation. A 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 28, 2019, memorial service will be held at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home with Pastor Phil Waite officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to College Mennonite Church or Mennonite Mission Network.