Memorial
Donald F. Gabel, 87 of Cedar Rapids died Friday March 27, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital. Due to the COVID-19 virus a Celebration of Life Service with military rites will be held at a later date. Burial in Linwood Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, two daughters Linda (Mark) Prusynski and Susan Batchelor all of Boise, Idaho, and a son David of Cedar Rapids; a brother Larry of Texas, two sisters Carolyn of Arkansas and Sharon of Iowa; two step-sons, Mike (Rochelle) Melsha and Scott (Sue) Keith of Cookville, Tennessee. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his first wife Donna, a brother Robert, a sister Norma and a step-son Ken Melsha.
Don was born on July 20, 1932 in Harper, Iowa the son of Harold and Alma Dumont Gabel. He married his first wife Donna Day on May 10, 1952 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Donna passed away in 2003. He later married Virginia L. Keith on June 19, 2004 in Hiawatha.
Don was an air traffic manager for the F.A.A and retired from there after many years of service.
Don was a member of the Hiawatha American Legion, NARF for 48 years, and attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Don and Virginia enjoyed travel, the winters they spent in Arizona and in his younger years he enjoyed camping.
He was very proud to have served in the Korean War in the Air Force. He will forever be remembered as a wonderful and caring husband, father, brother and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial fund has been established.