Alan Abel

Madison - Alan Ray Abel, age 80, left his temporary earthly home for his heavenly home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. He was born August 28, 1936, in Milwaukee, WI to Benjamin R. and O'linda A. (Zickuhr) Abel. He became a child of God through baptism on October 26, 1936, and was confirmed on June 4, 1950, Christ Ev. Lutheran Church, in Big Bend, WI.

Al grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended Lutheran High School, Milwaukee. He worked summers in order to pay tuition and graduated in 1954. After graduation, he attended UW-Milwaukee before moving to Madison. He began his career with Wisconsin Bell Telephone Co. in 1955 as a pay station collector and worked through the ranks as a lineman, installer, foreman over area offices and CAMA crew before retiring in 1992.

Alan met Ina "Lee" Heifner in 1955, and on June 2, 1956, they were joined in marriage at Clear Lake, IA. This union was blessed for 60 years. Alan was a faithful member of Eastside Lutheran Church serving as Stewardship Chairman and secretary for the Church Council. He volunteered many hours of printing for the church and school and loved singing in the Chancel Choir. After retirement, he also donated time working on the Talking Books Program for AT&T Pioneers. Alan was a lover of the outdoors and enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and the cabin on the Fox River at Endeavor, WI. He had a ready smile and quick wit which continued to show through at times during the later stages of Alzheimer's.

He was a faithful Christian husband and a loving example to his children. He is survived by his wife, Ina "Lee"; four children, Pamela (Pastor Michael) Plagenz, Jeffrey Abel, Lynell (Chris) Korth and Bradley (Susan) Abel; 11 grandchildren, Timothy Gile (Megan Kellner), Stephanie (Chris) Treder, Andrew (Danielle) Plagenz, Amanda Keck Gile, Elizabeth (Richard) Schmidt, Jordan Abel, Nicholas Abel, Peter (Lauren) Plagenz, Aleksandr and Micah Abel and Spencer Korth. He was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Alistar Keck and Capri Plagenz. He is also survived by a brother, Larry Abel; step-brothers, Donald Abel and Eugene (Millie) Abel; sisters-in-law, Beth (Donald) Fink and Judy Heifner along with several nieces and nephews. Alan was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Clair and Florence Heifner, granddaughter, Jessica Gile, sister-in-law, Mary Abel and step-brother, Wayne Abel.

A funeral service will be held at EASTSIDE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2310 Independence Lane, Madison, on Tuesday, January 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Nathan Berg, Pastor Michael Plagenz and Vicar Peter Plagenz presiding. A Luncheon will follow the service at church. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in Monona. A visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service.

Memorials may be made to Eastside Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer's Association or Agrace HospiceCare Inc.

We wish to thank all who supported Alan and our family through this difficult time-the caring and loving staff at Brookdale Sun Prairie (Alzheimer's & Dementia Care), Agrace HospiceCare in Madison and Pastors Glen Schmiege and Nathan Berg for bringing the one thing needful--the love of Jesus and assurance of his heavenly home.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services
3325 East Washington Ave. Madison
(608) 249-6666