Bernard 'Joe' Abell

Bernard Joseph (Joe) Abell, 74, passed away at 10:05 pm on Monday, December 10, 2018, at Helia Healthcare in Champaign. 

Joe was born on August 25, 1944, in Bardstown, KY,  the son of Bernard Sr. and Catherine (Settles) Abell. He married  Ellen L. (Creekmur) Abell on June 18, 1966. He is survived by his wife of Urbana; a daughter, Alison (Doug) Davis of Mahomet; 5 granddaughters and a sister, Patricia (Ed) Seay of Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Joe served in the Air Force in medical supply from 1962-1966 and was honorably discharged from service in October 1966. A few years later he joined the Army National Guard and served for another 2 years. Joe retired from Ameren (Illinois Power) as senior engineering representative in 2004 after 35 years of service. He was a third -degree member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Urbana. Joe, along with his wife,  volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Patrick's for several years.  

There will be a visitation on Sunday, December 16 from 2-4 pm at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St., Champaign with the wake service starting at 1:30. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, December 17 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 West Main, Urbana with Fr. Luke Spannagel officiating. Burial will be at Eastlawn Burial Park, Urbana. 

Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at St. Patrick's Church or to the Illinois Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program. 

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