Shirley Ann (Drumheller) Abel

September 28, 1932
December 22, 2025

Shirley D. Abel was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania to the late Williams S. Drumheller and Esther M. (Diefenderfer) Drumheller. She graduated from Allentown High School in 1950, and married the late Robert G. Abel in 1952.

Shirley was a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company before becoming a homemaker with the birth of their children. Later in life she was a merchandiser for Hallmark and American Greetings.

Shirley was an active member of St. John's UCC, Fullerton where she was a Sunday/Bible School teacher for many years. She was a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of America, becoming a trainer for Den Mothers and Scout leaders. She was a Life Member and past President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 367 Fullerton. Shirley was a member of the Woman's Club of Whitehall and the Whitehall High School Band Parents Association (Secretary, Designated Area Parent). She was a founding member of the Whitehall Nite-Owls Camping Club (National Campers & Hikers Association). She also served on the Playground and Pool Planning committees for the Jefferson Street Playground.

Shirley is survived by her children; David S. Abel and his husband Rev. Thomas A. Neel, DonnaLee S. A. Yeatts and her husband Dewey, and Dianna A. Schneck and her husband Donald. She also has two grandsons: Andrew Madura (Emily Ripper) and Matthew Madura (Áine Kelly), and granddog Joker.

Services will be held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at St. John's UCC Fullerton, 575 Grape Street, Whitehall, PA 18052. Viewing will begin at 10:00am with an 11:00am Memorial Service, followed immediately by interment at Cedar Hill Memorial Park, Allentown.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. John's UCC, Fullerton at the address listed above, or Lehigh Valley Zoological Society - Feed Tatu (giraffe) 5150 Game Preserve Road Schnecksville, PA 18078

The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall
is honored to handle her arrangements