Dominic Rebman

Dominic Rebman, Founder Rebman Recreation, Inc. Dominic Rebman, age 84, a Lorain resident and prominent businessman, died on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, Lorain following a brief illness. He was born on February 22, 1925 in Lorain and resided here his entire life. A 1943 graduate of Lorain St. Mary High School, he attended Oberlin Business School and graduated from Dyke and Spencerian Business College in Cleveland in 1947. Dom served in the US Navy as a Seabee building dry docks and landing strips in New Guinea in the closing years of World War II. After the war ended, he returned to his hometown of Lorain. He and his father, Dominick, owned and operated Lorain Meat Packing. In 1946 with his father they acquired a two-story building at 1040 Broadway to house his first bowling alley. It was a small 8 lane bowling alley and bar. Working many years with his father and wife, Mary, by his side, Dom decided it was time to expand and move his business. In 1955, Rebman's moved to its present location on Oberlin Avenue, then a two lane road and neighbors to several farms. He built a new 24-lane facility, and then 23 years later (1977) he expanded to 48 lanes, making Rebman Recreation the largest bowling facility in Lorain County. Keeping with the family theme, his four children became part of the family business, sharing in the responsibility and working with him to make Rebman's a Lorain landmark. Seeing a need for more recreational bowling, Mr. Rebman instituted the city's first Youth Bowling Leagues on Saturdays. Dedicated to youth involvement in bowling, he generously paid sanction fees for his junior bowlers. He also paid entry fees for his junior bowlers who qualified for the state finals of the BPAO. He promoted bowling to seniors as well. Innovative in his profession, he became the first bowling proprietor in Lorain County to install a completely computerized scoring system. His contributions to the local bowling scene haven't gone unnoticed. In 1982, he was inducted into the Lorain Bowling Association Hall of Fame. Then, in 1992, his name was added to the Ohio Bowling Hall of Fame. In the spring of 1995, the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame granted him the honor of being inducted, as well. Dedicated to other sports, he sponsored numerous Lorain city baseball and softball leagues throughout the years. He also was a supporter of Lucy Idol Center for the Handicapped and the Ohio Veterans Home in Sandusky. Mr. Rebman served as vice-president and director of the Lorain YABA for six years, as vice-president of the Greater Lorain Bowling Association, as president of the North Shore BPA, and was an executive board member of the BPAO and a member of the BPAA. Additionally, he is a Founders Club Member of the National Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis, Missouri, a major organizer of squads for the Slovak Singles Local Annual Tournament, and then for 20 years has served as a squad leader and organizer for the famous Peterson Classic Tournament in Chicago. He is a member of the Church of St. Peter, Lorain. He was also a life member of Elks BPO Lodge #1301, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 552, Knights of Columbus, Amvets Post 47, and the Senior Friendship, all of Lorain. He also was an enthusiast of collectible and antique cars. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary (nee Hoch); sons, Rick (Char), of Lorain, and Rob (Christy), of Amherst; daughters, Patti (Bob) Bellman, of Amherst and Mary Lou (Robert) Poli, of Lorain; 2 grandchildren, Ryan Rebman and Jacqueline Sivik (nee Rebman)and several step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Dominick in 1983, his mother, Theresa (nee Szalai) in 1972 and his sister, Helen Toth in 1958. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 2- 8 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Rd., Amherst. Services will be on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral center followed by a funeral mass 10:00 a.m. at Church of St. Peter, Lorain. Fr. Charles Henkle OFM will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township. Contributions, if desired, may be made to the St. Peter Capital Campaign Fund, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain, OH 44053 or to New Life Hospice, 5255 North Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH 44035.

Dominic Rebman

February 22, 1925 - November 14, 2009

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Dominic Rebman

February 22, 1925 - November 14, 2009

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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