Donald Abel

Donald L. Abel, 71, of Walnut, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in his garden doing what he loved.

Donald Lee Abel, was born March 28, 1937, at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the son of Burl H. and Lydia B. (Smith) Abel.

At his birth, the family lived in Malvern, Iowa, and upon his parent's deaths, he moved to Marne, Iowa, to live with his sister, Lorene.

Donald served his country overseas in the United States Army during the Korean War.
On July 3, 1962, Donald married Inez B. Linfor in Bellevue, Nebraska. They have lived in Walnut for the past 36 years.

Don worked as a foreman and a crane operator for A.M. Cohron and Son Inc. of Atlantic for the past 49 years.

He was a member of American Legion Post No. 422 in Walnut and the Amvets.

Donald is survived by his wife, Inez Abel of Walnut, Iowa; two sisters, Lorene Sieck of Walnut, Iowa, and Lucille Christensen of Atlantic, Iowa; a brother, Howard Abel and his wife, Addielee of Wheatland, Missouri. He is also survived by a niece that Inez and Don raised, Vanessa Samaniego of Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Burl and Lydia Abel; a brother, Paul Abel and his wife, Letha; his sister, Maxine Baldwin and her husband, Howard; and two brothers-in-law, Dale Christensen and Willie O. Sieck.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 11, 2008, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic with Pastor Dale Kesterson of the Atlantic First Church of Christ officiating.

Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 10, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with the family present to greet friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Hockenberrys.

A fellowship and luncheon will be held in the Hockenberry Family Care Community Room, immediately following the funeral service.

Committal services and Military Graveside Rites will be held in the Layton Township Cemetery, in Walnut, Iowa.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is assisting the family.