Rev. Joseph A. Schabel

Father Schabel was a truly holy priest and an inspiration for my entire life. I often think of him when life causes me to feel down. He was our pastor at St. Felix during the 1960s and caused the parish to be a part of the living body of Christ. He inspired my whole family and really the whole community. How fitting that he joined the communion of saints on Christ's birthday. I will remember his guidance & inspiration for the rest of my life.

Father Joe was not only a Rev/priest. We considered him as part of our family. He has been there for all our family for many years. He was truly an "ANGEL" sent to us from GOD! Now, father Joe, is with his father up in heaven and God will say to him, "WELL DONE SON! WELL DONE!" We will miss you, more than you know. LOVE, RANDY AND NANCY WELLMAN AND FAMILY.

Best priest ever the people's priest always there for us

So many great memories of this man, from Sacraments to Family Dinners. He seemed to be there for all of them when we were growing up. Baptisms, First Communion, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick and Celebration Dinners at our home when Fr. Joes football team won. He was a real person and a true friend. We will all miss him. Thank you Fr. Joe for always being there for us. You have many friends to greet you on your journey into heaven.

Joe was a very important person in my early vocational journey - back when I was a seminarian for the Diocese of Saginaw (from 1977-1980) ... I lived with him at the rectory at St. Roch's in Caseville for a couple of summers; and when my parents retired, they moved to Caseville and served as co-directors of music there for several years. I composed some of my earliest liturgical compositions when I was with him at St. Roch's, with songs like "Jesus, Come to Us" and others. He also helped to...

Fr. Schabel was one of the nicest priests I know. He was so gentle, kind and understanding. He always made each person feel so important to him. We can all take a page out of his book to learn how to be a humble servant of Jesus. He was so sincere. His smile was contagious. We need a lot more men like him. He now is enjoying his well earned reward in heaven. We know God loved him because He chose to take him home on Christmas. How beautiful.