Abel Philip Schroeder

Abel Philip Schroeder was born October 7, 1986, in Kansas City, Missouri. After several private adoptions fell through, Joel and Ruth Schroeder adopted him when he was three weeks old through an agency called the L.I.G.H.T. House. Abel became a child of God through holy baptism on November 9, 1986. He joined as a sibling of his dear sister, Addie, age five, his life-long friend and supporter.

Ruth, a stay-at-home mom, noticed early on there was “something wrong with Abel’s wiring.” Doctors later diagnosed Abel’s malady as Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. His condition was a lifelong challenge to overcome. The 3 Rs—reading, writing, and arithmetic—never came easy to Abel. Graduating from high school was a great accomplishment of his perseverance.

His musical ability allowed him to sing bass in choirs in middle school and for years at Mt. Olive. He played drums in Shawnee Mission Northwest’s marching band and won drumline state championships.

Abel wasn’t afraid to take anything apart, usually putting the item back in working order, sometimes with a few parts left over he deemed “not needed.” This mechanical ability served him well in a 20-year career as a body repair technician at McCarthy Morse Chevrolet. He showed up day after day on time, rarely taking sick days or vacations. He supported himself and owned a house, though keeping up with bothersome things like home maintenance and paying his bills sometimes didn’t bother him.

Abel’s generosity often shone through. He’d give you the shirt off his back, and his skin, too, if he saw you needed it. He put much thought into gifts he gave on birthdays and holidays. If you had a friend in Abel, you had a truly loyal friend. Chief beneficiaries of this friendship were citizens of the small community of Linwood, where he fit in well and served as a volunteer firefighter for years. That loyalty carried over to his ardent rooting for the Chiefs and KU.

It took a while to spot Abel’s sense of humor, but it was deep and dry. His last gift to his father was a device that played many dad jokes. He often shared memes that tickled or interested him.

Abel’s citizenship not only showed in his role as a community volunteer firefighter, he was also a Sea Cadet, the youth training corps of the U.S. Navy Seabees. Abel spent hours in his beloved truck keeping up with current events and politics as he listened to talk radio.

He had a love for family, friends, classmates, co-workers, church members, and those he met in 200 hours of alcohol counseling this year, and his dogs, Tangle, Molly, Belle, and Socks, in succession. Abel never married and had no children.

Abel was a child of God by grace through his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior. He attended Sunday School, VBS, and worship for 18 years. He served as an usher and trustee at Mt. Olive. Though he didn’t attend church regularly during his adult years, he never denied his faith. He came to worship several times a year, watched streamed services, and attended worship regularly during the last six months of life. He brought his physically weak mom to church during that time, so his father could attend weekly Bible study. In worship, Abel confessed his sins publicly and truly believed Jesus died to give him the eternal life he’s now enjoying without Asperger’s, pain, or disease.

Abel’s often-challenging earthly life, complicated by long-term abuse of alcohol, ended January 20th after two heart attacks. But Abel is still alive, enjoying eternal peace and heavenly rest with his Savior.

Joel and Ruth Schroeder, parents of Lenexa, KS; Addie Schroeder, sister, of Overland Park, KS; Andrew Jones, brother-in-law; and Alec and Astrid Jones, nephew and niece, would like to thank everyone who loved, taught, and encouraged Abel. The family also wishes to thank everyone for their comforting messages, offers of help, flowers, memorials to Mt. Olive and Wayside Waifs, cards, phone calls, emails, and attendance at his funeral. A special thanks to the children of Mt. Olive Lutheran Elementary School for singing at his funeral, and to the Women4Christ of Mt. Olive who prepared and served the meal following the service. Rejoice in the victory Abel is enjoying with his Lord.