Mitchell Rabil Obituary Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr. May 22, 1919 － November 8, 2023 Franklin － Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr., 104, passed away November 8, 2023. Born and raised in Weldon, NC, he was a son of the late Frank Assad Rabil and Mary Hawa Rabil and the third of nine siblings. His father passed away when Mitch was 17 years old during the Depression and Mitch supported the family. He was also predeceased by the love of his life, Helen Kannan Rabil; a sister, Lucille George; and five brothers, Fred, Joseph, Dr. William E., Ernie and Leo Rabil. In 1940, Mitch moved to Franklin to work for his uncle John Hawa and in 1942 he was drafted for service in World War II. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre on the Island of Saipan with the Army Air Force Bomber Squadron. It was during this time that he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Franklin and in 1952 he married Helen Kannan, formerly of Goldsboro, NC. He was an original parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church and was a man of deep faith. Mitch was a member of Franklin American Legion Post 73 and a self-made businessman. In 1963, he bought the Dairy Queen on South Street in Franklin and later expanded the business to include several Dairy Queens throughout the Tidewater area. He employed many young people at his stores and instilled what a good work ethic meant and how to treat people. Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Mary Kaye "MK" Copley (Dave); a son, Mitchell F. "Mickey" Rabil, Jr. (Barbara); two sisters, Marguerite Kannan and Helen Williams; four grandchildren, Megan R. Stevens (Jordan), J. Tyler Copley, Greg Rabil, and Ron Rabil (Lauren); four great grandchildren, Mira Stevens, Kieran Stevens, Charlotte Rabil, and Lilly Rabil; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friends, Mitch Sandlin and Bob Turner. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11AM Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Emmanuel Mensah officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8PM Monday, November 13, 2023 in the funeral home where prayers will be offered at 6:30 p.m. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Tunnel to Towers (T2T.org) or St. Jude Catholic Church. The family of Mitchell Rabil would like to thank the staff of caregivers for their loving care and attention to Dad: Pam, Jenny, Towana, Patty, and Cynthia. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Nov. 11, 2023. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Mitchell-Rabil-Sr 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/mitchell-rabil-obituary?id=53566692 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's the formatted obituary information as requested: ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr., 104, passed away on 8 November 2023. Born on 22 May 1919 in Weldon, NC, he served in WWII, earning a Bronze Star. A self-made businessman, he owned Dairy Queens in the Tidewater area. He was predeceased by his wife Helen and survived by two children and four grandchildren. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A Funeral Mass was held on 14 November 2023 at St. Jude Catholic Church, officiated by Father Emmanuel Mensah. Burial with Military Honors followed in Poplar Spring Cemetery. The family received friends on 13 November 2023 at the funeral home, with prayers offered at 6:30 p.m. ### The Edited Obituary Mitchell Rabil Obituary Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr. 22 May 1919 - 8 November 2023 Franklin - Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr., 104, passed away 8 November 2023. Born and raised in Weldon, NC, he was a son of the late Frank Assad Rabil and Mary Hawa Rabil and the third of nine siblings. His father passed away when Mitch was 17 years old during the Depression and Mitch supported the family. He was also predeceased by the love of his life, Helen Kannan Rabil; a sister, Lucille George; and five brothers, Fred, Joseph, Dr. William E., Ernie and Leo Rabil. In 1940, Mitch moved to Franklin to work for his uncle John Hawa and in 1942 he was drafted for service in World War II. He served in the Asiatic Pacific theatre on the Island of Saipan with the Army Air Force Bomber Squadron. It was during this time that he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was discharged in 1945 and returned to Franklin and in 1952 he married Helen Kannan, formerly of Goldsboro, NC. He was an original parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church and was a man of deep faith. Mitch was a member of Franklin American Legion Post 73 and a self made businessman. In 1963, he bought the Dairy Queen on South Street in Franklin and later expanded the business to include several Dairy Queens throughout the Tidewater area. He employed many young people at his stores and instilled what a good work ethic meant and how to treat people. Left to cherish his memory is his daughter, Mary Kaye "MK" Copley (Dave); a son, Mitchell F. "Mickey" Rabil, Jr. (Barbara); two sisters, Marguerite Kannan and Helen Williams; four grandchildren, Megan R. Stevens (Jordan), J. Tyler Copley, Greg Rabil, and Ron Rabil (Lauren); four great grandchildren, Mira Stevens, Kieran Stevens, Charlotte Rabil, and Lilly Rabil; many nieces and nephews; and his dear friends, Mitch Sandlin and Bob Turner. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, 14 November in St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Emmanuel Mensah officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 8 PM Monday, 13 November in the funeral home where prayers will be offered at 6:30 p.m. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Tunnel to Towers (T2T.org) or St. Jude Catholic Church. The family of Mitchell Rabil would like to thank the staff of caregivers for their loving care and attention to Dad: Pam, Jenny, Towana, Patty, and Cynthia. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr. | |---------|-----------------------------------| | Age | 104 | | Birth | 22 May 1919; Weldon, NC | | Death | 8 November 2023; Franklin | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------------|----------------------|------------------------------| | Mitchell Frank Rabil, Sr. | Decedent | Franklin | | Helen Kannan Rabil | Predeceased Spouse | -- | | Frank Assad Rabil | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Mary Hawa Rabil | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Mary Kaye MK Copley | Child | Unknown | | Mitchell F. Mickey Rabil, Jr. | Child | Unknown | | Marguerite Kannan | Sibling | Unknown | | Helen Williams | Sibling | Unknown | | Lucille George | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Fred Rabil | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Joseph Rabil | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Dr. William E. Rabil | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Ernie Rabil | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Leo Rabil | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Megan R. Stevens | Grandchild | Unknown | | J. Tyler Copley | Grandchild | Unknown | | Greg Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Ron Rabil | Grandchild | Unknown | | Mira Stevens | Great-grandchild | Unknown | | Kieran Stevens | Great-grandchild | Unknown | | Charlotte Rabil | Great-grandchild | Unknown | | Lilly Rabil | Great-grandchild | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Moved to Franklin in 1940 to work for his uncle John Hawa. 2. Drafted for service in World War II in 1942. 3. Served in the Asiatic Pacific theatre on the Island of Saipan with the Army Air Force Bomber Squadron. 4. Awarded the Bronze Star during his military service. 5. Discharged from military service in 1945 and returned to Franklin. 6. Original parishioner of St. Jude Catholic Church. 7. Described as a man of deep faith. 8. Member of Franklin American Legion Post 73. 9. Self-made businessman. 10. Bought the Dairy Queen on South Street in Franklin in 1963. 11. Expanded the business to include several Dairy Queens throughout the Tidewater area. 12. Known for employing many young people at his stores. 13. Instilled good work ethic and taught how to treat people in his employees.