Frederick D. "Fred" Abeel

Frederick Downs Abeel of Gaylord, 75, died peacefully at home on September 15, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Fred was born in Sandusky, MI on September 19, 1948, to Clifford Downs Abeel and Ruby Pearl (Hawkins) Abeel. As a young boy he loved spending time on the farm with his grandfather Fred Abeel. He also enjoyed helping at his dad’s service station in Carsonville, MI, where he first learned to work on cars. After graduating from Deckerville High School, he worked in tool and die in Detroit before returning to Lexington, MI to work at a car dealership. He married Judy Braun on October 5, 1968, and they lived in Croswell, MI before moving to Gaylord in 1974. 

In Gaylord, Fred worked at a Chrysler/Dodge dealership before spending 20 years working at John Deere dealerships in Gaylord, Atwood, and Petoskey. He then worked in the courier business, contracting with FedEx Ground until a 2009 motorcycle accident helped him decide to retire. After recovering from the accident, he joined friends on several motorcycle trips around the country.

Fred enjoyed the camaraderie of the local Harley Owners Group and earned the rank of Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus, where he held several volunteer positions. He enjoyed woodworking and anything mechanical, and he shared his talents volunteering with friends to work on projects for St. Mary Cathedral church and school, where he was a proud parish member and former parent. He enjoyed being a lector at Mass and was always ready to fill in when needed.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife of almost 56 years, Judy Abeel; and his five daughters, Susan (Mark) Styles, Angela (Rick) Ely, Cheril Lin Abeel, Leslie (Delano) Abeel, and Kim Coelho. He loved his daughters dearly and was also grateful to have wonderful sons-in-law. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kourtney (Ryan) Keilen, Michael Kowalsky, and Keegan Styles; three great-grandchildren, Klaire and Brady Keilen and Gianna Kowalsky; and a brother-in-law, Terry Sontag. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Ruby Abeel; and an older sister, Gwyn Sontag.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Fred’s memory at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. He will be buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Gaylord, near his parents. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Mary Cathedral School.

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