In Memory
John M. Abell
December 13, 1935 ~ February 8, 2022
John M. Abell, age 86, of Granger, passed away February 8, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was born December 13, 1935, in Ridgway, Illinois. During his youth John also lived in Plymouth. He moved to South Bend, IN as a teenager, later moving to Elkhart County and raising a family.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia (Dierbeck) Abell; mother, Eleanor (Trousdale) Roush; father John Bluford Abell; step-father, Harold Roush; and siblings, James Roush and Donna (Roush) Brinkman.
Surviving John are his children, Angela (Steve) Abell-Reed, John-Kevin (Maria) Abell, and Barry J. Abell; daughter- in- law, Patricia Craig; grandchildren, Hannah Abell, Connor Abell, Nolan Reed and Autumn Flores; and great-grandchild, Harley Flores. John is also survived by sister, Beverly (Roush) Wolfarth.
John graduated in 1954 from James Whitcomb Riley High School in South Bend, IN. While there, John was a member of the track team where he was the State champion in the 180 low hurdles in 1953 and the 180 low and 120 high hurdles in 1954. His track achievements led to a track scholarship at the University of Alabama, where he attended for two years. He was inducted into the Riley High School Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the Indiana Association of Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame on January 28, 2000.
John served two years in the US Army and was stationed in England and Germany. John worked in the RV industry for Richardson Homes for 15 years and Holiday Rambler for five years. John worked in production at Bayer (Miles) for 21 years before retiring in 2001.
John enjoyed attending Notre Dame Women's basketball games,
watching ND football, ND basketball and Chicago Cubs baseball. He also loved to read, ride his bicycle and watch PBS. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, neighbors, friends and especially his grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held at a later date for family, friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to South Bend Center for the Homeless (cfh.net), Faith Mission of Elkhart (thefaithmission.org) or Food Bank of Northern Indiana (feedindiana.org).
Elkhart Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Posted online on February 11, 2022
Published in South Bend Tribune
02.11.2022 djb
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