Michael F. ‘‘Vrabel’’ Rabel 1911-2008

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BRISTOLVILLE - Michael F. ''Vrabel'' Rabel, 96, died Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Windsor House in Champion. He had resided with his daughter, Marjorie.

Michael was born Aug. 17, 1911, in Leetonia, the son of the late John and Catherine Ceplece Vrabel.

He married Ruth Esther Evans, the love of his life, Dec. 3, 1938.

He was employed at Mullins Manufacturing Corp. in both Warren and Salem, and had also worked from 1965 to 1976 with the State of Ohio Highway Department.

Michael was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer USS Fanning.

He was a member of the SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Surviving him are daughters, Marjorie (Bill) Lee of Bristolville, Mary (Joe) Thomas of Cortland, Ruthann Rabel of Warren; and a son, Michael (Kim) Rabel of Warren. Also surviving are a sister, Mary Wasylychyn of Leetonia; 28 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth E. Rabel; two daughters, Shirley Weingart and Donna Perich; four brothers, John, Andrew, Joseph and Stephen Vrabel; a grandson, William ''Billy'' Lee; along with two sisters, Catherine ''Kate'' Zarnosky and Anne Castrucci.

Services will be held 3 p.m. today at Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, where friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Pastor William Sprague will officiate, and the burial will be at Meadow Brook Memorial Park.

Family requests that material contributions be made to Grace Baptist Church in his memory.

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