Henry Edward Rabel, 83, of Jasper, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 9, 2015 at his son's home in La Porte. He was born October 31, 1931 in Weimar, Texas to Alois Rabel and Rosetta Emmel.
He was a 1950 graduate of Weimar High School, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in September 1952. Having trained and served at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and in Nagoya, Japan, he remained on active duty until August, 1956. He remained in the Air Force Reserves before being honorably discharged in August 1960, with the rank of staff sergeant. He later studied at the University of Houston
He married the love of his life, Neva Marie Guidry, on November 10, 1956 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Houston. She passed away in March 2008, the couple having celebrated 51 years of marriage.
After more than 40 years in the insurance industry in Houston, Irving and Liberty, Texas, Mr. Rabel retired to East Texas with his wife. Before retiring, he was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and the Liberty volunteer fire department.
He is survived by four sons, David Lane and his wife, Elaine Barry, of Greensburg, PA; Robert Bryan and his wife, Ela, of La Porte; Gregory Paul of Houston; and Corey Kenneth and his wife, Amber, of Houston; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four brothers Joseph Rabel, Emil Rabel, Anton Rabel and Herbert Rabel; and two sisters, Mary Stos and Annie Rabel.
He is preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Martha Mendel and Pauline Graham; three half-brothers; and four half-sisters.
A gathering of Mr. Rabel's family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Broussard's Mortuary, 134 W. Buccaneer Drive, in Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 13, 2015 at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive in Winnie, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery in Winnie.
