Willia Gabel , June 18, 1942 — November 26, 2018

Obituary of William Gabel William Jacob Gabel November 26, 2018 William Jacob Gabel, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, November 26, 2018 at Wilkes Barre General Hospital. He was born on June 18, 1942 to Edmund and Grace Gabel in Chase, PA. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary school in Luzerne.

He graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1960. He enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served on the USS Enterprise during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Bill was employed at Chase Prison for several years before changing jobs to Hessler Laundry – where he met the love of his life – Marilyn Strutko.

On August 5, 1967 the couple was married at Saint Ann’s Chapel in Kingston, PA. They had three children and resided in Dallas, PA. Bill was active for many years with the Cub Scouts of the Back Mountain as a Pack Leader.

He was the coach for 8 years for The Back Mountain Little League Girls Softball division. He was a creative guy and enjoyed sewing, ceramics, and doing odd jobs around everyone’s house. He was employed at Valley Vending Company, JB Post, Union Petroleum, and finally settling at Power Builders until his retirement.

Once retired, he enjoyed many hours of crossword puzzles and reading crime novels written by James Patterson and Alex Cross. Bill – also known as “Da-Goat” or “Bil-Vila” was a loving father, husband, grandfather, and friend to all. Survivors include his wife Marilyn; daughter Lisa Bolton and her husband Don of Trucksville, son William Gabel and his wife Beth of Freeland, and daughter Nicole Leonard and her husband Andy of Beaumont, granddaughters Brieann and Hailee, grandsons Cory and Kaiden along with siblings Jim Gabel of Newark – CA, Ted Gabel of Sworysville, and Ruthanne Ruddy of Luzerne as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday – November 29th from 5:00-7:00pm at Betz-Jastremski funeral home in Luzerne. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday November 30th at Holy Family Parish in Luzerne with a private cemetery service to follow at Chapel Lawn in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to the nursing staff at Wilkes Barre General Hospital 5th floor East and CCU departments as well as to Dr. Rittenberg for his kind and compassionate care.

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