Fred O. Abel

Fred O. Abel, 93, of Beallsville, died Sunday May 8, 2011 in the Woodsfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born June 10, 1917 near Pennsville, Ohio, a son of the late Orin W. and Rosa Price Abel. Fred was a retired educator of the Switzerland of Ohio School District serving as teacher, Principal and Superintendent, primarily for Beallsville schools but also in Carey and Clarington, Ohio. He graduated from Pennsville High School and was a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Class of 1939. Surviving are his wife of nearly 70 years, Kathryn Miller Abel, a son
Robert K. Abel of Linthicum Heights, Maryland and three generations of
nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin brother Floyd Irvin and a sister Olive Abel Diehl. Fred, a World War II Veteran of the U.S. Army, served stateside at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver, Colorado as a Technical Instructor teaching Physics and practical work in X-ray services. He was a member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association and a life member of the Ohio and National Education Associations. He was a champion for his community, especially through the school system but in many other ways including a 70 year active membership in Sunsbury Lodge #362, Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge, OES #24, American Legion Post 768 and the Rolling Hills Ruritan. In addition, he was instrumental in helping form the Beallsville Volunteer Fire Department serving as treasurer, the Switzerland of Ohio Water Department, and the Beallsville Veterans' Memorial Park. As Assistant Coach, he helped Henry Prichard launch Beallsville High School's successful football program in 1947 and was involved in every aspect of making it happen from helping set the light poles to making sure players had the needed equipment. Between 1989 and 1993, he represented the area's customers of electrical power as a Trustee for South Central Power Company, was a former member of and helped build the Switzerland of Ohio Country Club and a 40 year member of the Village of Wilson Village Council including many years as mayor and village clerk. At Beallsville United Methodist Church, he was a long time faithful servant-over the years, holding nearly every leadership position within the church.
He served faithfully not only because he knew it was the right thing to do but also because he firmly believed that the greater Beallsville community (the 120 square miles of the old Switzerland of Ohio School District) was a great place to live with much to offer. He also believed that the best students in the world attended Beallsville Schools and he was greatly honored to know and serve them. Visitation will be held Saturday from 2 to 4 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Harper Funeral Home, Beallsville. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 1:30 PM at the United Methodist Church, Beallsville with Pastors Tina Gallaher and Richard Wilson officiating. Interment will follow in Beallsville Cemetery with full military honors by American Legion Post 768. Masonic services will be conducted Saturday evening at 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Because his church and the Beallsville school were both very important to him, Fred's family asks that contributions be made to the Beallsville United Methodist Church, PO Box 61, Beallsville or the "Beallsville Educational Partners," ( an organization formed to raise funds to provide needed but unfunded items for the new school under construction) at PO Box 138, Beallsville.

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