Mark William Gabel

Mark William Gabel, 43, of Lake Silkworth passed away Sunday, April 3, 2011.

Mr. Gabel was born Oct. 12, 1967, in Wilkes-Barre, and was the only son of Ted J. and Edith DeWeese Gabel of Lake Silkworth.

Mark was a 1985 graduate of Lake-Lehman High School. He furthered his education by attending Penn State's Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, earning a degree in automotive mechanics in 1987. He also received an occupational competency teaching certificate through Temple University in 2005.

Mark was a loyal and dedicated employee of Rider's World in Wilkes-Barre for the last 10 years as the service manager. He was also an avid motocross rider, competing in amateur races at Evansville Motocross Park in Berwick, until the time of his death. Over the years, he had several first place finishes at Evansville Park, as well as at other local tracks.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Severa A. Mociun Gabel.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his wife, the former Koren A. Strickland; he was a loving father to his children, Zachary Thomas and Victoria Grace, all at home; sisters, Lynn Bice and her husband, Michael, Cleveland, Ohio; and Jennifer Gabel, Nashville, Tenn.; and his uncle and aunt, William and Lorena DeWeese, Long Pond.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Cross Creek Community Church, 370 Carverton Road, Trucksville, with Pastor David Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Back Mountain Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, P.O. Box 269, Dallas, PA 18612, or The Gabel Children Fund, which has been set up for Mark's minor children through the Wachovia Wells Fargo Bank, 30 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA 18612.

Funeral arrangements are conducted by Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home Inc., Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek.