Virgil E. Abel

Virgil E. Abel, 86, of the town of Beaver Dam, went to his Heavenly home Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Hillside Manor Nursing Home in Beaver Dam. A visitation for Virgil will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. A funeral service will also take place at the church at 1 p.m. with Rev. Collin Vanderhoof officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Beaver Dam. Virgil was born the son of Edwin and Verna (Richardt) Abel on February 9, 1931 in Juneau, WI. He attended St. John’s Lutheran School, and Juneau High School. On June 3, 1950, Virgil was united in marriage with Ruby Dinkel by Rev. Alfred Wittman at First Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. Throughout Virgil’s life he was employed by; Elmer Port General Store in Juneau, Gilbert Krahn in Hustisford where he installed the first TV in Hustisford, Phoenix Hosiery in Beaver Dam, R & D Parts Store, Abel’s General Store in Burnett, Waupun Shaler Co., Fullerton Lumber, Daily Citizen, Schwantes Builders, and then was self-employed as Abel Builders, worked in the electrical workforce for 50 years, and was a realtor in Beaver Dam. One of Virgil’s hobbies was snowmobiling, and participating in local clubs. He was a member of the Sno-Kats Snowmobile Club, President of the Dodge County Snowmobile Club, director and Vice President of the Wisconsin Snowmobile Association, and was a safety instructor for 35 years. He was also a member of Wings Over Wisconsin, Whitetails Unlimited, the Turkey Federation, and the Christmas Tree Association. He was involved in 4-H woodworking, and was an electrical instructor. He loved collector cars and participating in car shows, having two 1966 Chevrolet Corvair’s, a 1964 Buick convertible, and a 1969 Chevrolet Impala convertible and was a member of the Madison City Corvair Club. Virgil was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam, where he also sang in the choir, served on the church counsel, and was a member of the OWLS. He is survived by his wife, Ruby Abel, children; Sandra Abel, Robert Abel, Jay (Cynthia) Abel, Jeffery (Brenda) Abel, all of Beaver Dam, 9 grandchildren; Dawn Weber, Robert (Becky) Abel, Thomas (Kelsey) Abel, Christopher (Megan) Abel, Jamie (William) Rogers, Timothy Abel, Amy Crum, Shannon (Shaunah) Abel, Laura Abel; step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren; Kyle, Kole, Kirsten Weber, Aylah Abel, Madeline, Jonathan, Katherine Abel, Lillian, Rebecca, Jessica, Rachel Rogers, Lincoln, Violette Abel, Breanna Crum; step-great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Bonnie Christian, and faithful dog companion; Lady Sue. Virgil is further survived by other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Virgil was preceded in death by his parents; Edwin and Verna Abel, grandson; Heath Weber, brothers; Howard (Margaret) Abel, Sr., Hilmer (Ruth) Abel, Ramona Abel, nephew; Howard Abel Jr., brother-in-law; Donald Christian, and in-laws Alvin and Hazel Dinkel.