Stephen P. Abel

Stephen P. Abel, 65, Syracuse, formerly of Wakarusa and Nappanee, died at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2016, at his residence of natural causes.

He was born Aug. 27, 1950, in Wakarusa to Paul and Evelyn (Roose) Abel.

Mr. Abel was a 1968 graduate of Wakarusa High School and a graduate of Indiana University. May 26, 1973, he married Barbara Fervida in Nappanee. She preceded in death Sept. 29, 2005. Mr. Abel  lived his lifetime in this area.

Steve was a former owner of Franklin Coach, a family-owned business in Nappanee. Currently, he was working at Synergy Transport Company, Goshen.

Steve enjoyed his children and grandchildren and traveling, especially vacationing in Colorado around the water and mountains. He enjoyed being at the lake, growing up on Syracuse Lake and now living on Lake Wawasee.

Surviving are his children: William “Bill” Abel,  Austin, Texas, Jennifer (Tim) Havely, Noblesville, Brad   (Megan) Abel, Syracuse, and Stephen Abel II, Syracuse; grandchildren: Griffin, Andrew and Savannah Havely and Landon and Grant Abel; and a brother, Rick (Gail) Abel, Wakarusa.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Don Abel and sister, Becky Moody.

Family and friends may call from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at Thompson-Lengacher and Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee, and for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. funeral service Thursday, April 14, also at the Funeral Home.

Rev. Ed Geleske, pastor at Wakarusa United Methodist Church, will officiate and burial will be in Union Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to The Center for Hospice.