Orison Charles Abel

09/29/1939

01/20/2023

Memorial Contributions

Lowell Moose Lodge

 1320 E. Main St.

Lowell, MI 49331

or

Faith Hospice

https://faithhospicecare.org/donate/ 

or

Alzheimer’s Association

https://www.alz.org/gmc

Orison Charles Abel, age 83 of Lowell, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 20, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Doris Abel; and baby sister, Marilyn. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Addie; children, Terry B. (Heather) Abel, Vicki Vanderwarf; grandchildren, Troy (Alexa) Abel, Tory (Travis) Scholten, Jesse Abel, Ashton Vanderwarf, Mallorie Vanderwarf, Mackenzie (Mack) Ganzak, Reece Vanderwarf, Ethan (Grace) Vanderwarf; 9 great-grandchildren including special great-grandchild, Kayah Abel; brothers, Terry M. Abel, Doug (Terrie) Abel; sisters, Marlene McCormick, Jane Comp; sisters-in-law, Carole Tower, Alice (Steve) Koss, Jean Cummings; brother-in-law, Rob (Nancy) Tower; special niece, Becky Venema; and special friends, Ruth and Jerry. Orison served in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army and worked 52 years with the Kent County Road Commission. He especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, all sports, road trips, and vacations with Addie. A Celebration of Life will be held 2-5PM, Sunday, January 29, 2023, at the Lowell Moose Lodge, 1320 E. Main St., Lowell, MI 49331. A private burial will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lowell Moose Lodge, or Faith Hospice, https://faithhospicecare.org/donate/ , or Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/gmc

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11 Responses

  1. Dear Addie… Orison was a great friend for me for the last 75 years. He was always a good and kind man. We were in Sunday school together at the Lowell Methodist Church back in 1948, later in the Scouts, and then in Lowell Highschool where he was our Quarterback on a successful Red Arrow team. He was a great athlete in all sports. A lingering sadness came over me when I heard the news. We offer our sincere sympathy. …….Witt

  2. I have such beautiful memories of our families growing up, so much fun and laughter, you 2 were such a special couple, Big Love to you and your family, Brenda Baker Traetz

  3. Dear Addie,
    Just want you to know we are thinking of you and your family at this sad time. He will be sadly missed by the class of 1957 and all his many friends and family. Bob & Judy Ellison

  4. You two were Wonderful neighbors most of our lives. I have many funny memories next to my heart. Love you Addie my heart is with you always.

  5. Big ‘O’. I am positive that you have met up with Bob, Bill, and Mac. May you be toasting to the green and white and planning your next Friday night excursion. Rest in peace my friend Hugs to you Addie ❤️

  6. Addie, Terry, Vicki, and families,
    With deepest condolences. We are thinking of you all. Sending so much love and many healing prayers as you say goodbye to a great man.

  7. So sad to hear this Addie. You and he were so close and such a great couple. Y thoughts and prayers are with you.

  8. Addie, We are never ready for this, I know…Loving memories of great friends always stay with us and one day we hope to meet again.. Addie God Bless you and your whole family, May God give you all peace and love and rest. I am here for you my friend. Love and hugs, always, Mary

  9. Addie you and Orison hold such a special spot in my heart. He was such a good man and friend to us and my grandparents. He will be missed

  10. Orison was a fun popular guy and a great multisport athlete at Lowell High School in the mid-1950s.

    Even though he was a starter on the varsity baseball team, he was also a fast enough sprinter to run dashes and relays for the track team, and score points for LHS to upset powerful East Grand Rapids by 1/2 point and win the 1956 State Class B track regional team championship.

    Athletes could only compete in one sport per season in the old Grand Valley league, but that limit didn’t apply to regional and state competitions, so Orison could join the LHS track team in regional competition, for LHS track coach Norm “Buck” Gotschall.

    The additional few points he won that day at GR Lee High’s field, gave Lowell the surprise Regional track
    championship by half a point, 35.5 to 35.

    The meet was so close that the officials at first publicly presented the team trophy to East GR. Buy just a few minutes later, when Lowell student manager Byron Floyd found a scoring error to give Lowell one more point, meet officials actually took the championship trophy back from East GR, and presented it (right on the field) to a joyous Lowell track team. So sweet!! — and to beat rival East GR, a truly rare happening back then!

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