Gregory Rakow, age 65, of Lebanon, PA passed away on Wednesday July 7, 2021, at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Gregory was born in Lebanon on February 18, 1956 and was preceded in death by his parents, William W. Rakow Sr. and Isabel M. Rakow (Seubert). He recently celebrated 40 years of marriage to Joellen S. Rakow.
He graduated from Elizabethtown College with a degree in journalism and worked as a Media Specialist for Reading Hospital before retiring in 2017. Gregory was a 4th degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of Saint Benedict the Abbot Church and enjoyed golf, community theatre, and creating video/music productions.
Gregory is survived by his spouse, Joellen S. Rakow, his children William Rakow (Fiance JoLynn DeJesus) and Russell Rakow, his grandchildren, Kaliandra Becker, 17, Paxton Rakow, 7, William Rakow, 6, Lynn Rakow, 4, siblings, William W. Rakow Jr., David Rakow, Robert Rakow, and MaryAnn Rakow, as well as nine nieces and nephews and numerous grand nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday July 17, 2021 at St. Benedict the Abbot Church, 1300 Lehman Street, Lebanon, PA with the Reverend Jose Elias Mera Vallejos of St. Benedict the Abbot Church officiating. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Rt. 72, Lebanon, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gregory’s memory may be made to the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank at 8167 Adams Drive, Hummelstown, PA 17036. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
The family of Greg Rakow wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses of Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Hospice of Central PA.
