--Edward Victor Rebar was born on Feb 25, 1934 to John S. and Margaret Ann Rebar (Oravetz) in Barnesboro PA, as the middle of seven children. Father was a coal miner and mother was a stay at home parent and in addition to raising the children, canned fruit and vegetables from the family garden. Growing up during the Great Depression, he tended the chicken coop in the back yard and grew to love airplanes listening to radio programs during WWII.
--Dad played high school football and graduated from Black Lick Township High School, Twin Rocks PA (1952) and shortly thereafter joined the US Air Force where he served from 1952-1956 including Korea, England and French Morocco. He had hopes of becoming a navigator but illness prevented him from joining the training program. Thus he was assigned an MOS of Military Police. He was then a reserve member till 1960.
--Moved to Arlington VA for civil service positions starting with Bureau of Engraving and Printing as a machine operator. Shortly thereafter he relocated to Prince George's County MD, and took his wedding vows in 1962 to Mary Ellen Molnarko, had a daughter (1964) and son (1967) and moved to Bowie in 1967 where they purchased their first home, a Levitt Cape Cod for the then-pricey sum of $18,000. Their children enjoyed an idyllic childhood with a father who comforted them with expressions such as "this too shall pass" and motivated them by telling them if they want something in life, they should ask or go after it. He would then state "what's the worst thing that can happen?" if met with resistance.
--He retired from NOAA as a computer operator in 1985. Hobbies included bicycling, swimming, gardening, attending polka dances when younger and air shows at Andrews AFB and car shows in his later years, watching M*A*S*H*, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Redskins, and listening to an extensive collection of his and his wife's music collection. He and his wife Mary were active members of Sacred Heart Church in Bowie until relocating to Greensburg PA in 2003.
--They then moved to Derry PA in 2003 to be closer to Ed's brothers and sisters, and Mary passed in 2007. He remained were active in St. Vincent's Parish (Latrobe PA) until he began having circulation problems a few years ago. A devout Catholic who, despite a series of serious health issues, remained hopeful that he would one day be in the presence of God His Father in Heaven.
--For health reasons, he chose to move to Glen Burnie, MD in summer 2020 to recuperate and live with his loving daughter Natalie and enjoy life with her and his son Alan. He liked dining on the patio or an afternoon nap with his back to the sun. Post-surgical complications led to a sudden decline in health and brief admission to hospice (Glen Burnie MD/Golden Arms) just 5 days before he took his last breath there on Dec 11, 2020 after his two children said their final good bye.
--E d was pre-deceased by wife Mary (2007), father John (1977), mother Margaret (1981), father-in-law Frank Molnarko (1970), mother-in-law Elizabeth Molnarko (1977). Brothers John (1982), Frances (2017) & David (2020), as well as sisters Dorothy (2011) & Nancy (2007), sisters-in-law Elizabeth Danyluk (Molnarko), Teresa Rebar, brothers in law John Danyluk (1985), Jake & Stevie Molnarko (dates unknown).
--Survived by elder daughter Natalie (Glen Burnie MD), and younger Alan Rebar (Baltimore MD), brother James and sister-in-law Carolyn, brothers-in-law Ben Pasquale & Michael Molnarko, sisters-in-law Francie Molnarko, Barbara Rebar (Miller), Elsie Rebar (Williams), and an extensive number of cousins, 2nd cousins, nieces & nephews in MI, OH, PA, NY, MD,VA, FL, CO, NV.
--Service to be held Monday Dec 21st, 11:30 am at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, Crownsville MD with military presentation of the flag. The family hopes to have a celebration/memorial gathering in the Spring at a local veteran's organization or local park (COVID permitting) with details to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to any veterans' organization, local church or charity of your choice in memorial.