ABELS, John C. 1880-1952

ABELS, GROENHAGEN, KRUSE

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/22/2013 at 16:33:27

John Calvin Abels was born in Colfax township on April 30, 1880, to John F. and Henrietta Groenhagen Abels. His entire life was spent on the Abels Homestead. On May 27, 1903, he was united in marriage to Grace Kruse at Colfax Center. One daughter, Henrietta Mae, was born to this union. He was a devoted husband and father, his first consideration being the welfare of his family. He and Mrs. Abels would have been married 50 years next May. He made public profession of his faith in Christ when he united with the Colfax Center Presbyterian church on April 16, 1905, and served the church faithfully as a deacon for over 16 years. Except for the responsibility he felt for his family, his one desire was to be "Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." On Saturday morning, December 27, 1952, at about 8 o'clock the Lord took him to Glory. He leaves to mourn his departure his widow and daughter besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Safely Home
I am home in heaven, dear ones,
Oh so happy and so bright,
There is perfect joy and beauty
in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief are over,
Every restless tossing passed,
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder I so calmly Trod
the valley of the shade?
Ah! but Jesus' love illumined
Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me,
In that way so hard to tread,
And with Jesus' arm to lean on
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely
for I love you dearly still,
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand.
Do it while life remaineth,
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When the work is all completed
He will gently call you home.
Oh! the rapture of that meeting,
Oh! the joy to see you come.

--newspaper clipping, source unknown