Clarence Haber

The Rev. Clarence H. Haber, 87, of Holton died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, at Holton Community Hospital. 

He was born Sept. 17, 1924, in Olpe, to Herman and Lillie Laura (Bartell) Haber. He graduated from Holton High School in 1942 and from Westmar College in 1948. He attended Evangelical Theological Seminary graduating in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree and later received his master of divinity degree. 

He was assigned to many United Methodist Churches including Hanover, Throop Evangelical United Brethren Churches, Longford (where he directed the erection of the church), Derby, Zion United Methodist Church (in Wichita) and Moran, Bronson and Mildred Churches. He served in Horton from 1983 until his retirement in 1987. Clarence retired in Holton and served as an associate pastor and youth pastor at Evangel United Methodist Church. In 1989, he became part-time chaplain at Jackson County Nursing Home (now Medicalodge Jackson County).

He was a member of the Evangel United Methodist Church, Holton Lions Club, Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church and a member of Jackson County Friends of Hospice, all of Holton. He was a volunteer for Sunday school class, member of the choir, led prayer for men’s breakfast and joined in Bible study all at the Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton.

On July 5, 1948, he married Sada Catherine Haedt in Mankato, Minn. She died on July 12, 1998. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Rebecca Lee Haber in 1974 and Joyce Ann Haber in 1962, and a brother, Harold C. in 1982.

He later married Carol “Jean” Fisher on Jan. 22, 2000, in Topeka. 

She survives as does a stepdaughter, Jennifer Nelson, Topeka; two stepgranddaughters; and three nephews, Chuck Haber, Kansas City, Mo., Dave Haber, Denver, Colo., and Don Haber, Boston, Mass.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Evangel United Methodist Church in Holton. Interment will be in Holton Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. 

Memorials to the EUM Church or Forest Park Conference and Retreat Center may be sent in care of the funeral home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a message for the family online visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.