Lester Rabe

February 4, 1945 - December 10, 2020

Lester G. Rabe, 75, of Napoleon, Ohio passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at CHP Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center. He was born on February 4, 1945 in Napoleon, to George F. and Amanda (Ludeman) Rabe. Lester was a 1963 graduate of Ridgeville High School. He married Janice Behnfeldt on December 14, 1968. Lester was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, Freedom Twp., Napoleon. He was a farmer at heart and was the fourth generation to farm the Rabe’s Homestead which was settled by his Great Grandfather in 1872. Lester previously owned and operated Rabe’s Cage House Cleaning Service. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice; son, Mark (Abigail) Rabe, Kettering, OH; daughter, Anne (Martin) Irving, Napoleon, OH; sisters, JoAnn Miller, Napoleon, OH, Karen Elling, Napoleon, OH, and Lori (Arland) Rigdon-Esch, Lebanon, OH; and brother, Lawrence (Irene) Rabe, Wauseon, OH. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Isaiah, Ella, Kate and Benjamin Irving and Nicholas and Nathan Rabe, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Matthew; sister, Arlene Sunderman; brother, Paul Rabe; and brothers-in-law, Mark Rigdon and Robert Miller. Friends and family will be received at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 from 3:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at St. John Lutheran Church, Freedom Township at 11:00 AM with an hour of visitation prior to services. The service will be livestreamed and is available to view at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBlFrcn9WNv7IK2JVfZGZiQ . Interment will be at the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences and messages may be shared with the family at rodenbergergray.com Due to the current health conditions surrounding COVID-19, masks will be required to attend services or visitation in accordance with the State. Please also respect social distancing and make use of the website to contact the family if you are not feeling well.