John "Jack" "Jack" Rainbow

John F. “Jack” Rainbow, 93 of Center Township, passed on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, South Beaver. John was born September 21, 1918 in Beaver, son of the late Spencer and Edna (Shaffer) Rainbow. He proudly served his country as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Airforce during WWII. As a Bombardier/Navigator with the 456th Bomb Squadron, 323rd Bomb Group on a B-26 Bomber, he flew 11 combat missions over Europe with the 9th Airforce. He received the Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, European , African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal.

Jack retired from Electrical Repair Department of J&L Steel, Aliquippa Works. In his leisure, Jack developed two unique interests. He truly enjoyed working with wood. He created and hand crafted heirloom wooden boxes. Family and friends will treasure them for generations. He also had a passion for pitching horseshoes. Jack would practice and pitch all year round, both at indoor and outdoor pits. He has been a Beaver County Champion, as well as a World Class Champion. Jack was inducted into the Horseshoe Hall of Fame in 1987. Most importantly he was a world class guy. His family was his greatest love. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years: Elizabeth (Barbin) Rainbow on July 2, 2010; and his sister: Ruth Rainbow Bookser.

Jack is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law: Marsha Ann and Ron Oates, Peoria, AZ; Nancy and Chuck Inman, Center Township; four grandchildren: Christy Inman Begley and her husband Patrick Shane Begley, Center Township; Megan Oates and her husband Christian Borja, Alexandria, VA; Scot Inman, Aliquippa and Matt Oates, Telford, PA and three great grandchildren.

Friends will be received Tuesday, March 20, 2012 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in the SAUL-GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 237 Route 68, Rochester (adjacent to Sylvania Hills Memorial Park Mausoleum). Military Honors will be presented by the members of the Beaver County Chapter 862, Vietnam Veterans of America at 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Private entombment will follow at Sylvania Hills.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army, Rochester, PA. The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff of Lakeview Personal Care and the staff of Beaver Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation, for their kind and compassionate care. Online condolences may be offered at www.saul-gabauer.com