Donald "Don" Rebal

Don Rebal, 95, passed away peacefully on November 9, 2016 after a long illness.A memorial service will be Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Don was bom May 19, 1921 in Hilger, Montana to Mary Amanda Maye David Meissner and Manuel Meissner. Don's maternal grandfather, Isaac Finch David, was an early settler in the Judith Basin area and good friend of Charlie Russell.Don's father passed away before Don was 2 years of age. He and his mother moved to Omaha to live with the Meissner family. It was there that his mother met and married Raymond Rebal who then adopted Don as his own. Ray was a typesetter who took a position with the Great Falls Tribune in 1926, retiring after 32 years with the paper. Don attended school in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School in 1939 along with his childhood sweetheart, Virginia Guest. Don worked at the ACM before taking a position with Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, California in order to earn enough money to marry Virginia. He was finally able to send for her and they were married February 13, 1942 in Santa Monica. Shortly after their wedding, Don joined the Navy and Virginia joined the Coast Guard to serve their country during WWII. Don flew blimps during the war, helping to conduct surveillance efforts in South America. He was honorably discharged in October 1945.After the war, Don, Virginia and young Don Jr. moved to Missoula where Don earned a BA in corporation finance in 1949. They then relocated to Great Falls where Don worked for General Motors, Suhr Buick and Bison Ford as the General Sales Manager. He acquired the Edsel franchise in 1957 and later the Lincoln-Mercury franchise which became Don Rebal Lincoln-Mercury. He added the Honda franchise in 1975. He also owned Olympic Lincoln-Mercury in Seattle, Washington from 1970 to 1972.Don was an avid traveler, even into his 80s and 90s. He was also a competitive sportsman. His bowling team won the state championship in 1958 and 1960. He excelled at handball, racquetball, and golf and won numerous state tournaments.Don was an active and committed volunteer who believed in providing service to his country, state and community. He was a member of Lions International, SCORE, Scottish Rite, Algeria Temple Shrine and a life member in the Masonic Order. He served as past president of the Meadow Lark Country Club, YMCA and Great Falls Auto Dealers and was on the Montana Auto Dealers board of directors. As a member of the International Overseas Executive Service Corps, Don assisted businesses in several locations including Mexico City and Prague, Czech Re"public".In 1972, Don was elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. He was proud to have helped shape the Constitution for the state of Montana. He was also proud to have traveled to Washington, DC with the Big Sky Honor Flight in 2013.After retirement, Don became Virginia's full-time caregiver. She passed away in October 2008. Don moved to the Grandview in February of this year where he made new friends and enjoyed exceptional care and attention from the staff and management.Don is survived by his brother, Richard (Suzanne) Rebal in Glendale, California; son Don Jr. (Marilyn) of Ashland, Oregon; daughter Nancy (Joe) Loncki of Great Falls; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Virginia, his parents and stepfather.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don's name to Peace Hospice, Quality Life Concepts, the Great Falls Symphony, or the charity of the donor's choice.Don lived a full, rich and meaningful life. He was a committed Christian, great friend, husband and the best father, grandfather and great-grandfather ever! He loved all and was dearly loved in return. His was a life well-lived and those he leaves behind will mourn his loss and rejoice in his memory.