Rachel F. Bair

     Rachel F. Bair, age 64, of Tionesta, PA, died on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Oakwood Heights Village in Oil City, PA. She was born in Muenchweiler, Germany, daughter of the late Richard W. and Helen (Hart) Bair.

     Rachel spent her childhood seeing the world as an Army dependent, finally settling in Tionesta with her family in 1971. She grew up loving to sing, dance, play sports, and was an animal lover at heart. Following her graduation from West Forest High School in 1979, she took a job at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a word processor, but she was a partier at heart, and could most often be found on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle or enjoying a hard rock concert - she could easily rattle off the dozens of bands she had seen "live".  During this time she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, which quickly took a heavy toll on her body. When she could no longer care for herself, she took up residence at The Presbyterian Home in Oil City, where she was carefully looked after for over 29 years. From her perch at the nurse's station, she kept close watch of the comings and goings on her floor, greeted everyone with a “ye haw” and routinely took home the prize money on Bingo day. She loved sitting outside in the sun "getting a tan", talking on the phone, and making short excursions off campus for a white russian cocktail when friends came to visit. Her caregivers became her extended family, helping her try new hairstyles, bringing her pizza and Chinese take-out, and remembering her on every holiday and birthday. The family would like to thank them for the many years of keeping Rachel safe and content - they know it wasn't easy.

     Surviving are her brother, COL (Ret) Wayne P. Bair, US Army and his wife Kimberly (Kunselman) of Chapin, South Carolina. Two nephews, LT Cody T. Bair, US Coast Guard, his wife Melissa and their two children Ella and Beckett of Savannah, Georgia. And Capt Tyler N. Bair, US Space Force, and his wife LT Rachel P. Bair, US Coast Guard of National Harbor, Maryland.

     Friends will be received at the Norman J. Wimer Funeral Home of Tionesta from 10am - 11am on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with funeral services being conducted at 11am with Retired Pastor Samuel J. Wagner officiating.  Private burial will be alongside Rachel's parents at Washington Cemetery, Washington Twp., Clarion County, PA.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 91891, Washington, D.C., 20090-1891, www.nationalmssociety.org.