Joseph Abel
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Joseph Abel

  • August 27, 1915 - December 16, 2011
  • Benton Harbor, Michigan
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Memories & Candles

“Denise I'm sorry for your loss. ”
1 of 5 | Posted by: Jan (Pines) Woodbeck - Hancock, MI

“Bob & Denise, So sorry for your loss especially at this time of year. With sympathy, Sue & Les Drake ”
2 of 5 | Posted by: Sue & Les (Len, Logan) Drake

“Our thoughts are with you all ”
3 of 5 | Posted by: Don & Ruth Hettig - Lakeland, FL

“My thoughts are with you during this hard time and always. ”
4 of 5 | Posted by: Gerry Abel - Prescott Valley, AZ

“My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Loosing a loved one is never easy, one true consulation is that he is at peace in the loving house of the...Read More » ”
5 of 5 | Posted by: Debi Cowan - Prescott Valley, AZ


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Joseph Abel, 96, of Benton Harbor, passed away Friday, December 16, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph.

A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Jeremy Laitinen officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call from 10:30 until 11:30 A.M. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church. Those wishing to sign Joseph's Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Joseph was born August 27, 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan to Samuel & Zita (Schwengler) Abel. On September 4, 1943, he married the former Selma E. Dettmann in Eau Claire. Joe was employed as a machinist by Clark Equipment Co., beginning in Benton Harbor and then transferred to the plant in Jackson, working on the assembly lines. While working for Clark Equipment, Joe also worked part-time at McLaughlin & Ward in Jackson. He retired in 1977 after thirty-four years with Clark, and moved back to Benton Harbor in 1986. Joe was a member of St. Matthew's Ev. Lutheran Church, the D.A.N.K. and The Independent Order of Foresters. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, tending to his flower & vegetable gardens and his lawn, and helping others with their building & remodeling projects. Joe also enjoyed fishing the small lakes in and around the Jackson area, and on Lake Michigan after moving back to Benton Harbor.

Joe is survived by his wife Selma; his son Robert Abel of Jackson, MI; two daughters-Barbara Vainner & her husband Larry Parks of Coldwater, Denise (Bob) Gilmour of Lakewood, CO; six grandchildren-Kelli Abel, Peter (Nikki) Vainner, Lyndsay Vainner, Benjamin (Lindsey) Vainner, Kelsey Gilmour & Kendra Gilmour; two great-grandchildren-Lorraine Hessling & Sophia Vainner; two sisters-Kathryn Hawn & Ruth (Don) Hettig, both of Eau Claire; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son-in-law Michael Vainner, and six brothers- Jack, John, Louis, Sam, Frank & Herb Abel.