John E. Rabel
We have lost a wonderful, caring man who had a wealth of knowledge and a deep love for farming the land. He was a man everyone would be proud to have ever known, let alone to have had as a relative, friend and neighbor. We are happy and proud to have the memories of our time spent with him. He will be missed for sure and his memories cherished!
John E. Rabel, 70, of South Charleston went home Friday, March 3, 2017 at home.
He was an operator and retired from Dupont Chemical, and was a lifetime farmer. John served in the U. S. Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was also a charter member of The Alum Creek VFW Post 4768.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Pauley; uncles Tom, Keith and Bernie Rabel; aunts, Charlotte McGraw and Shirley Holstine.
John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda; children, Thomas E. Rabel, Margaret-Anne (Richard) Boggess and John B. (Angie) Rabel; sister, Charlene (Jeff) Ray; grandchildren, T. Anthony, Laura, McKennah, Haley, Ella & Beau Rabel; and several nieces and nephews.
Service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Rev. Tommy Roberts officiating. Entombment will follow at Graceland Memorial Park Mausoleum in South Charleston with military graveside honors conducted by the Alum Creek VFW Post 4768. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in memory of John be made to the Alum Creek VFW Post 4768 Relief Fund, 4443 Brounland Road, Alum Creek, WV 25003.
Thank you for all the condolences. John will be missed. Brenda
Our thoughts and prayers to the family.
So sorry to hear of your loss. The family is in many people’s thoughts and prayers.
Brenda and extended family at this time in your life you have a heavy burden to bear. Look to the future, hope, guidance,and prayers and good memories
Margaret Watts
Steve and I are so very, very saddened and upset at the sudden loss of John as I know the entire family must be. He loved dearly his family, friends and farm. For 30 years John Rabel has been our steadfast friend, farming mentor, and keeper of all unspoken knowledge about farm/land management. It’s so hard to verbalize the extent and depth of knowledge John had and so freely shared with us as we developed Wolf Pen Farm from the historic Gillispie/Rabel land-tract. Once John and Uncle Tom Rabel shared its history, we have been keenly aware of being only the third owners since it was deeded from a land grant in colonial times….this brought about a 30 year desire to do “right” by this family of farmers…”famous” for the fabulous Kanawha County strawberries of long ago and the great locally grown tomatoes and grass-fed Angus beef John was so well known for today.
John was an award winning conservation farmer in our county, continuing the long line of hard- scrabble, strong county settlers who first began to farm in this rugged Kanawha county landscape. We’ve all heard the phrase “farmers wear a lot of hats” and John certainly did just that! In order to run his operation he was extremely knowledgeable in the following areas just to name only a few: He knew all manner of equipment maintenance (especially heavy equipment); welding; soil maintenance in fertilizing/lime/seeding applications; chemical science and the proper ratios of their use; calibration of complicated equipment used in the soil maintenance; crop growth & harvest expertise; animal husbandry, reproductive sciences and medicine; John knew how to saw logs into lumber and was a pretty good carpenter.
Above all John was an American patriot who willingly served his country for us all. He was as honest as the day is long and tried to do what was right in his eyes. He was loyal, kind (something you could see in the love he had for his dog, Susie) and a true sportsman, who loved hunting and his hunting camp. John was dependable, capable and steadfast in his beliefs.
John Rabel was all these things and more to his family, his neighbors and his community. With his passing, so to goes his wealth of knowledge in what could be described by today’s urban culture as the lost art of sustenance “farming”.
…I will forever miss John coming to save the day and hearing him say, with that incredulous smile on his face, slowly shaking his head…”what in the world are you up to now?” May you rest in peace.
So very sad to hear about John, a wonderful man all around. My condolences to Brenda and all the family. May God Bless and Keep everyone! Was looking forward to seeing John again this year, we will meet again in a better place!
My heartfelt condolences to Brenda and their children. One thing stands out about John. He was an honest man who loved his family, God and his farm. My father thought the world of him and always had wonderful things to say about you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief.
Just heard the sad news today. My heartfelt sympathy to Johnny’s family and friends.
We are so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort to those John leaves behind.
Our sincere sympathy for the Rabel family in the loss of John . We always have liked your family and you have held a special place in our hearts. We wish you the best in this grieving time. We have moved to Greensboro, NC to be with more of our family but think of your family with great fondness and respect. Love from the Cooper family.
Carol and I are saddened to hear of the sudden death of your beloved John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your children, grandchildren, as well as extended family at this time. We will remember John for his sense of humour and dedication to family. God’s peace be with you,
Brenda and Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I just received a phone call from my brother-in-law Jim Ashley, one of John’s co-workers. I was blessed to have met you and John on our 50th class reunion at Washington District High School a couple of years ago. I have good memories of being on the same basketball team at Washington District. John specialized in shooting from the sidelines. Good memories of being with him in class from elementary days. God bless you. I want you to know that you and your family are in our prayers.
Brenda, please except my deepest condolences at this time. John was a good Man and cared about the Veteran’s. He will be sorely missed. Thank you to for all you do. May God be with you at this time and always. Sheryl Williams
Brenda and family we are so sorry to hear of John’s passing and we offer our sincere sympathy to you and your family. we know it is heard to bear right now but cherish those memories and those wonderful times together.
My sincere Prayer and many thoughts are with you and your family at this time of great earthly loss, but heavens gain. Heritage and legacy’s are now to be picked up as his Faith became sight.
So sorry for your tragic loss. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers and we are sending hugs, kisses and lots of love your way. John was loved and highly regarded by many.
May fond memories of your dear loved one bring you comfort during this hard time in your life. Look back on all the good memories you were able to have and smile at the fact that you were able to share these. My heart and sympathies go out to you and your family.
Proverbs 10:7 The memory of the righteous one is due for a blessing.”
Something that gives us great comfort is the Bible truth that death is not the dot or period at the end of a sentence, but rather the comma or pause because our dear loved ones will live again. We know that we will see our loved ones again because the beautiful promise recorded at Revelation 21:4 “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” What a truly special day so close at hand to be able to embrace our loved ones again!
Brenda and family, please accept our sincere condolences at this time. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband and father. May he rest in peace. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Take care of each other.
A SPECIAL SALUTE IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE. SINCERE & HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO BRENDA, THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
To my dear cousin Brenda and her family. So very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I remember John as a fun, down to earth guy who could really tell a story. BIG HUG BRENDA.
John was a lover of the earth. He was a proud, hard working farmer. Even in High School, when such activities were looked down on by some, John stood strong. His religious beliefs were his own. He never tried to humiliate anyone by insisting that his way was the only way. John will be missed by many.
so sorry for your loss. prayers go out to Charlene and for the Rabel family.
Johnny was a trusted friend of my father and over the past few years, someone who I admired and respected a lot. My thoughts and prayers are for Brenda and their children. May God’s grace and eternal love see them through this sad and difficult time. Johnny loved his family, his God, his country and his farm. He was rare individual who was a man of his word and unquestionable integrity. Wish I had spent more time with him and Brenda!
I am so sorry for your loss Brenda and family. I sure enjoyed every second spent with John at family get togethers. He was a fun guy to be around.
I am thinking of all of you. Sending love and hugs.
Sending Love, Hugs and prayers for all the family. Brenda and children… I have fond memories of years ago, babysitting for your children. And always enjoyed seeing John at the Hogan family gatherings. So saddened for your sudden loss of this wonderful man. May you find peace in your loving memories of him that you hold in your hearts. RIP Johnny Rabel
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Brenda, Tom, Margaret, John, and Charlene. We will be out of town this week, therefore, will not be able to attend the viewing or funeral. But we will be thinking of you. Love in Christ! Eddie and Sheila Dent.
Thoughts and prayers for the Rabel family.
I am so sorry to hear of your horrible loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this very difficult time. Love from all of us in Kingston
I pray that God will hold the family in the hull of his hands during this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and Prayers to the Rabel family and Charlene. I am so sorry for your loss. I grew up next door to Johnny and have fond memories of our childhood.