Obituaries

Forrest F. Rabel

Forrest F. Rabel, 91, of Warrensburg died Nov. 23 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Memorial Services were held 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Cumberland Presbyterian Church with Pastor Randy Crawshaw officiating.  Interment followed at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville with full military honors. The family received friends from 9 a.m. until service time.

Forrest was born on Aug 6, 1927, the son of William J. and Ocala E. (Huff) Rabel in Wilcox, Missouri.

On Oct. 5, 1946, he and Helen M. (Adams) Rabel were united in marriage in Yuma, Arizona, and they celebrated 72 years of marriage this year.

After discharge from the US Army in 1946, Forrest returned to Wilcox to operate his auto body shop and garage. In 1950, he joined the Missouri National Guard. In 1953, Forrest was hired full-time by the Guard. He became the first helicopter mechanic ever hired by the Missouri National Guard.

After 18 years as a mechanic with the Guard, Forrest and Helen purchased Warrensburg Rental.  They operated the rental from 1968 through 1976. Forrest and Helen returned to Wilcox in 1976. In 1987, Forrest retired from the Missouri National Guard as First Sergeant with 37 years of service.  After living a few years in south Texas, Forrest and Helen returned to Warrensburg in 2009.

Forrest is survived by his wife, Helen, of the home. Three children: Margaret (Pete) Wittman of Warrensburg; Ronald (Sue) Rabel of Clinton, Missouri; and Brenda (John) Trott of Warrensburg.  He is also survived by six grandchildren; John (Stacy) Wittman of Oak Grove, Missouri; Forrest (Lori) Wittman of Warrensburg, Bryce Rabel of Clinton; Emily (James) Shunk of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Misty (Johnathon) Wolters of Camden Point, Missouri; and Eric (Melanie) Trott of Warrensburg.  Also surviving are one brother, Bill (Carolyn) Rabel of Maryville, Missouri; and eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren with one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Shriners Hospital or Cumberland Presbyterian Church and can be left in care of Sweeney-Phillips and Holdren Funeral Home.

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