Anton ‘Tony’ Rabas Jr.

Anton Joseph Rabas Jr., “Tony,” 79, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Nov. 30, 2015, at Manatee RV park in Ruskin, Florida. He was born on April 17, 1936, in Ogdensberg to Anna (Schmidt) and Anton Rabas Sr. He was a 1955 graduate of Oconto Falls High School. In 1956 he enlisted in the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge in 1962. On June 25, 1960, he married his sweetheart, Nancy (Hansen). They were blessed with three children, Anton III “Beaver,” Lynn and Dean. He was a machinist at Graetz Manufacturing, a dairy farmer for 30 years, a machinist at R&A Manufacturing and worked for the town of Brazeau. He was a friend to everyone he met; he never knew a stranger. When he wasn’t working, his time was spent with family, fishing, up at the cabin in Watersmeet, Michigan, traveling and visiting with any of the hundreds of friends across the USA. He was always helping others, and everyone knew that if they needed something fixed Tony was the go-to guy. In addition to his work and hobbies, he was also involved in a variety of community organizations; he served 33 years on the Brazeau Fire Department (of which he was a charter member), town supervisor, Coleman School Board member, president of the Pound Medical Clinic Board, honored as an Outstanding Citizen of Oconto County, and member and officer of American Legion Post 280, Coleman. He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy (Hansen); daughter, Lynn Rusch (Darren); son, Dean Rabas (Laura); grandchildren, Amber Nowak (Aaron), Zak Rusch (Chrissy, Tony’s adopted granddaughter), Arren Rusch (Brittany), Chelsey Rusch, Mitchell Rabas, Kyle Rabas, Matthew Jacquet, Skylar Huff and Brandon Jacquet; great-grandchildren, Gabby, Marshall and Lincoln Nowak and Ayla Parker; brother, Michael Rabas; sisters, Ruth Klatt (Ron) and Katherine Shehow (George); special friends, John and June Frievalt, Ted and Carol Rydell ,and Mary and Vinnie Whelpley; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends in Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida. He was preceded in death by a son, Anton Rabas III; father and mother, Anton Sr. and Anna Rabas; and father- and mother-in-law, Ellis and Elsie Hansen. Memorial service will be held in Coleman, to be announced at a later date.