Wayne (Buck) George Rabideau age 89, of Cass City, MI died Friday, November 5, 2010 in the care of Hospice at Tuscola County Medical Care Facility, Caro, MI. He was born Sept 22, 1921 in Gagetown, MI to George and Della (Menzel) Rabideau. He married Mary Isabelle Walmsley June 24, 1947 in Caro, MI.
Buck grew up in Gagetown and Cass City during the great depression and left home at 17 to join the Civilian Conservation Corp, better known as the CCC. The CCC was created as part of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” and enlisted men to rebuild American forests, roads and bridges. As the oldest boy in the family he needed to support himself early in life. He spent over 3 years in the CCC at Watersmeet, MI, in the Upper Peninsula, planting trees and working on roads. He left the CCC in 1942 and in March 1943, he joined the US Navy, serving on the USS Fullam (DD 474) in the South Pacific during WWII. Buck was honorably discharged in December, 1945, serving over 2 ½ years. He then returned to Cass City where he and his brother Lee worked with their father, George Cyril Rabideau to open the first Plymouth Desoto Chrysler dealership in the area. Buck and Mary Isabelle were married in 1947. The dealership expanded in 1951 to also sell Case tractors and several years later a separate Rabideau Farm Store building was erected on the west end of town, selling JI Case and New Holland farm machinery. The Chrysler dealership and the farm store were part of the landscape of Cass City for nearly 50 years. Buck’s favorite slogan was to announce himself as, “Buck Rabideau, friend of the farmer!” Buck was a licensed pilot and loved to fly airplanes. He owned a Beach Bonanza and Piper Cherokee at different points in time. Buck was a charter member of the White Creek Club.
Buck is survived by a brother, Robert (Vivian) Rabideau, daughters, Gayle Sleight of Akron, Natalie (Gary) Putnam of Shawnee, KS, Nannette (Roger) Zdrojewski of Aguila, AZ; son-in-law, Alan (Marilyn) Klco of Frankenmuth; grandchildren: Sylvia (Scott) Benjamin, Lisa (Ron) Avery, Paula (Tim) Hughes, Sarah Rutkowski, Alysha Rutkowski, Matthew Groombridge, Jennifer (Darin) Sroka, Andrew Klco, Katie Klco, Kyle Putnam, Amy (Virgil) Peters, Holly (Matt) Lehman, Chris (Correna) Klco, Tina (Mike) McKenzie, Lisa Peruski, Kristy (Rick) Moore; great grandchildren: Alaina Benjamin, Isaac Benjamin, Samantha Hughes, Heather Baker, Haley Sroka, Amber Meldrum, Makinzy Benjamin; great great grand-daughter Oliver Baker; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary and daughter Terri Klco; granddaughter-in-law, Christina Groombridge; Siblings: Lee, Dale, Eldon, Dean and Pat, Marcella (Seeley) and Velma (Helwig). He is also preceded in death by many dear friends that made his life richer by their acquaintance.
Funeral service held 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 8, 2010 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Sr. Maria Dina Puddu MC, St. Pancratius Catholic Church officiating. Memorials may be made to the family or to United Hospice of Marlette. Pallbearers for Mr. Rabideau will be Gary Putnam, Roger Zdrojewski, Ron Avery, Tim Hughes, Alan Klco and Kyle Putnam. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Military honors under the direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Buck grew up in Gagetown and Cass City during the great depression and left home at 17 to join the Civilian Conservation Corp, better known as the CCC. The CCC was created as part of President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” and enlisted men to rebuild American forests, roads and bridges. As the oldest boy in the family he needed to support himself early in life. He spent over 3 years in the CCC at Watersmeet, MI, in the Upper Peninsula, planting trees and working on roads. He left the CCC in 1942 and in March 1943, he joined the US Navy, serving on the USS Fullam (DD 474) in the South Pacific during WWII. Buck was honorably discharged in December, 1945, serving over 2 ½ years. He then returned to Cass City where he and his brother Lee worked with their father, George Cyril Rabideau to open the first Plymouth Desoto Chrysler dealership in the area. Buck and Mary Isabelle were married in 1947. The dealership expanded in 1951 to also sell Case tractors and several years later a separate Rabideau Farm Store building was erected on the west end of town, selling JI Case and New Holland farm machinery. The Chrysler dealership and the farm store were part of the landscape of Cass City for nearly 50 years. Buck’s favorite slogan was to announce himself as, “Buck Rabideau, friend of the farmer!” Buck was a licensed pilot and loved to fly airplanes. He owned a Beach Bonanza and Piper Cherokee at different points in time. Buck was a charter member of the White Creek Club.
Buck is survived by a brother, Robert (Vivian) Rabideau, daughters, Gayle Sleight of Akron, Natalie (Gary) Putnam of Shawnee, KS, Nannette (Roger) Zdrojewski of Aguila, AZ; son-in-law, Alan (Marilyn) Klco of Frankenmuth; grandchildren: Sylvia (Scott) Benjamin, Lisa (Ron) Avery, Paula (Tim) Hughes, Sarah Rutkowski, Alysha Rutkowski, Matthew Groombridge, Jennifer (Darin) Sroka, Andrew Klco, Katie Klco, Kyle Putnam, Amy (Virgil) Peters, Holly (Matt) Lehman, Chris (Correna) Klco, Tina (Mike) McKenzie, Lisa Peruski, Kristy (Rick) Moore; great grandchildren: Alaina Benjamin, Isaac Benjamin, Samantha Hughes, Heather Baker, Haley Sroka, Amber Meldrum, Makinzy Benjamin; great great grand-daughter Oliver Baker; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary and daughter Terri Klco; granddaughter-in-law, Christina Groombridge; Siblings: Lee, Dale, Eldon, Dean and Pat, Marcella (Seeley) and Velma (Helwig). He is also preceded in death by many dear friends that made his life richer by their acquaintance.
Funeral service held 1:00 p.m., Monday, November 8, 2010 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City with Sr. Maria Dina Puddu MC, St. Pancratius Catholic Church officiating. Memorials may be made to the family or to United Hospice of Marlette. Pallbearers for Mr. Rabideau will be Gary Putnam, Roger Zdrojewski, Ron Avery, Tim Hughes, Alan Klco and Kyle Putnam. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Military honors under the direction of Cass City VFW Post #3644. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
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