Eugene L. Raber, 87, of Hopedale, died Thursday, Dec. 18, at Trinity Medical Center, West in Steubenville. He was born June 27, 1927 in Wintersville, the eldest of four children to the late Leslie and Gladys Dawson Raber. Mr. Raber was retired from Harrison Hills City School District after 27 1/2 years as Head Custodian, Bus Coordinator, and School Bus Driver. During his tenure as bus driver, he transported generations of students. He worked for Hanna Coal Co. for 17 years. He was a Veteran of WW II and a member of the Hopedale Church of Christ, where he was a past Elder, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary V. Cline Raber, and an infant sister. Surviving are three children, Shirley Raber of Hopedale, Ronald (Lynn) Raber of Jewett, and Pamela (Charlie) Green of Enon, Ohio; two grandchildren, Erik (Amanda) Raber of Pittsburgh, and Jessica (Dr. Dustin) Wallace of Wexford, PA; great grandchildren Nathan, Leah and Hannah Wallace; two sisters, Kathleen White of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Janice (Jerry) Wharton of Baltimore, Ohio.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. at the Hopedale Church of Christ with Dean Blythe officiating. Arrangements are by Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, Cadiz. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopedale Church of Christ, 329 High St., Hopedale, Ohio 43976. Online condolences may be made at www.clark-kirkland.com.