Alton L. Rabell

Alton L. Rabell, 90, of Meadville, died Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born February 24, 1918 in Cambridge Springs, a son of the late Ray L. and Hazel Clay Rabell.  He married Edith Campbell October 12, 1946 and she survives.

Alton was a 1936 graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, completed graduate courses in advanced algebra and geometry, and Crawford County Vocational Technical School training in electrical and welding courses, mechanical drawing and blue print reading.  A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, he served from 1942 to 1945, was honorably discharged as Sergeant Technician, having spent 6 months in England and earned four battle stars for Northern France, Herchon Forest, Battle of the Bulge, and the final march through Germany ending the war.

He retired from Smith-Gray Cadillac-Oldsmobile in 1984, following over 30 years of service as a certified Automobile Technician.

He was a member of Gravel Run Presbyterian Church and an affiliate member of First Presbyterian Church, Meadville.  He served as a former Elder at Gravel Run Presbyterian Church, was a 41-year Clerk of its Session, and was a former moderator of Session’s Records committee for the Lake Erie Presbytery.  He was also a long-time member of the Meadville noontime Kiwanis Club.

Survivors, in addition to his wife Edith Campbell Rabell of 61 years, include 2 daughters, Milta Dudek and her husband Edward of Minneapolis, MN and Linda Bollensen of Springfield, IL; 2 granddaughters, Mary Davis and Sherri Dawson; 2 grandsons, David and Jonathan Dudek; 6 great-grandchildren, Brooke and Christopher Jared Davis, Liam, McKinley, Fiona and Collin Dawson; a sister, Lauretta Kirk and her husband Elton of Saegertown; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 brothers, Melvin, Milton, and Norman Rabell and a sister, Dora Louise Rabell.

Calling hours will be Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville with a Kiwanis service Friday at 3:45 p.m.  Additional calling hour will be Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville.  The funeral service will follow Saturday at the church at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Brian Jensen, Church Pastor, Rev. Travis Webster, Associate Pastor, and Rev. Donald Gordon, Pastor of Gravel Run Presbyterian Church, officiating.

Interment with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2006 will be in Venango Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials may be made to Gravel Run Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 731, Saegertown, PA 16433 or First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335.