Dale Warren Rabe

Dale W. Rabe, 76 of New Buffalo, died Thursday, November 4, 2010 at LaPorte Hospital, LaPorte, IN. Arrangements have been entrusted with Sommerfeld Chapel of New Buffalo.A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM, Mon., Nov. 8, at St. John United Church of Christ, New Buffalo, MI, officiated by Rev. John Peterson. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo. Visiting hours are from 4:00- 7:00 PM Sunday at Sommerfeld Chapel 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo. Memorials may be given to St. John United Church of Christ, 200 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI 49117. Friends wishing to leave a message of condolence may do so at www.sommerfeldchapel.comDale was born on August 24, 1934 in Michigan City, IN to Arthur & Clara (Sengbush) Rabe. He served a Tool & Die apprenticeship at Allis Chambers and worked in area shops for 44 years, retiring in 1996 from Modine Manufacturing in LaPorte. He married Marianne Charvat on May 9, 1959 in Michigan City, IN. Dale was on the New Buffalo Planning Commission, a local Boy Scott Leader; Volunteer at LaPorte Hospital, and served on the St. John UCC Church Council as President, Financial Trustee & Treasurer.He enjoyed fishing, boating and traveling 49 states and Europe. Dale was happy working in his woodshop, building anything from picture frames to furniture.Dale is survived by his wife Marianne of New Buffalo; a son Bruce (Gladys) Rabe of Holland MI; two daughters – Theresa (Michael) Baker of Monticello , IN; Patricia (Brian) O'Rourke of South Bend, IN; and six grandchildren – Nicole, Matthew, Jacob, Colleen, Nolan and Daniel. He is preceded in death by a son Jeffery, a brother Robert, and his parents Arthur and Clara.