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George Abel
In Memory of
George Frederick Abel
1929 - 2017
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Smith Family Mortuaries
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Obituary for George Frederick Abel

George was born August 25, 1929 to John Henry and Jessie Bell Abel in Burr Oak, Kansas and passed away August 28, 2017 in Derby, Kansas.

He graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1947. He began his construction career following graduation.

George married Caryl Louise Dillon on January 20, 1950 in Burr Oak. On daughter, JoSean was born to this union.

George and Martha Jo Hofer were married July 1, 1984 in Denver, Colorado. They met at a little restaurant called ‘The Best Years” which became so very fitting for the rest of their lives together! Their marriage was one to be admired with such mutual faith, respect and above all love and devotion to each other every minute of every day.

George worked in Commercial Construction all the 44 years of his career until retirement in 1992. He worked with several companies in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. George had a strong work ethic and liked jobs with massive cranes, huge tonnage of concrete and driving deep piling. He began as a laborer and worked up successfully to being Project Superintendent the final 30 years. His projects ranged from building high-rise buildings, water treatment plants, schools, churches, power plants and dams. George was always committed to each and every project, ensuring it was done to superior quality, and he took great pride in their completion.

After retirement, George and Martha traveled the United States for 12 years in the fifth wheel travel trailer. They traveled to all but three of the United States and savored the beauty and sites of each one. They both engaged in the communities they lived in, both doing a great deal of volunteer work. George used his expertise in construction for many hours devoted to Habitat for Humanity. They made friends from coast to coast, literally!

George never met a stranger and made a home wherever they were. George loved to sing, and had a magnificent voice, always singing in a church choir. He was a man of deep integrity and a wit and humor that can never be forgotten! He had a vocabulary all his own and was truly someone who could light up a room the very minute he walked in it! It is hard to encapsulate 88 years of the magnificent personality he was and the joy he brought so many . . . .just being in the room.

He is survived by his wife Martha, daughter JoSean, sister-in-law Susan Abel, special nieces Elizabeth Jeffery and Amy Sue Bliss, and many friends.

Memorial service will be 11am Saturday, September 16, 2017 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be sent to Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, PO Box 3000, Hesston, KS 67062 or St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman, KS,
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