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Steven "Pete" Rabb

April 5, 1930 - January 16, 2018
Portage, MI

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"Pete" of Portage Was called home to the Lord on January 16, 2018. Steven "Pete" Rabb was born April 5, 1930 in Kalamazoo, the son of Alexander and Julia (Balient) Rabb. His parents were Hungarian Immigrants and Pete was always extremely proud of his Hungarian (Magyar) Heritage. He was the 6th child born out of 7, and grew up in the Mills/Vine Street neighborhood, which was a mixture of multiple nationality families. Pete graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1948. He started working at Sutherland Paper Mill immediately after graduation and then was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1949, serving in the Korean War. Prior to his deployment to Korea, he had met the love of his life Arlene Marble. Pete and Arlene were married on April 23, 1951 while he was home on military leave. He was discharged from the Army in the fall of 1952 and continued on with his employment at the former Sutherland Paper Co./James River Paper Co. for 47 years, retiring at the age of 64. Following retirement they resided in Sebring, FL during the winter months. Pete enjoyed bowling which he excelled at. He also had a true passion for yard work and building models of navy ships. Pete was always the "laugh of the party" and enjoyed having fun in life, especially doing the polka with Arlene. His pride and joy (besides Arlene) was his 1967 Chevy Impala, which he has owned for the past 50 years. He was very proud to serve in the Ft. Custer National Cemetery Honor Guard for the past 14 years. Pete truly lived for his family and it showed daily. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by 4 brothers Alex, Joseph, Andy and Louie; 2 sisters Julia and Edith. Surviving are his wife Arlene of 66 years; 2 daughters Kathie Nitz and Karen (James) Douglass; 4 grandchildren Kristine Biddle, Karri Nitz, James (Julie) Douglass, Angela (Vincent) Blank; 5 great-grandchildren Ian, Madison, Macy, Calla and Lily; former son-in-law Kirk Nitz; many nieces and nephews and a dear neighbor Jane. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 6:00PM on Sunday, January 21st at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A funeral service to celebrate Pete's life will be held at 11:00AM Monday, January 22nd at Pathfinder Church (8740 S. Westnedge Ave) with Brother Don Wolfgang officiating. Immediately following the service there will be a time of food and fellowship in the church hall. Graveside services will follow luncheon with full military honors in Genessee Prairie Cemetery. Memorials in Pete's memory may be directed to Pathfinder Church or Ft. Custer National Cemetery Honor Guard. Please visit Pete's personalized guest book at www.langelands.com