Vigen Memorial Home obituary - Charles S. Abell III, 84, of Keokuk

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Charles S. Abell III of Keokuk, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, April 12, 2019 in Birmingham, AL.

Born in Keokuk on January 25, 1935, the son of Charles S. Abell and Helen Cameron Abell, Chuck attended Keokuk Schools, Marmion Military Academy and the University of Iowa. He was the descendent of families who came to Keokuk the latter half of the 19th Century. Chuck served in the U.S. Military from 1956 – 1959.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-eight years, Jane Foggy Abell, and three children, Charles S. Abell IV (Terri) of Keokuk, Michael Cameron Abell (Beverly) of Birmingham, AL and Heather Gorham (Doug) of Keokuk. Grandchildren are Lindsay Abell (fiancé, Charley Young) of Quincy, IL, Nicole Miller (Dr. Dalton Miller) of Iowa Falls, Taylor Jobe, Makayla Stair, Teddi Gorham, and Katie Gorham all of Keokuk and Brent, Brock, Bret, and Morgan Brashier of Birmingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, John Cooper Abell.
Chuck was very active in civic affairs. He served on the Keokuk City Council for fourteen years in the capacity of Councilmen-at-Large, Finance Chairman and Mayor pro-tem. In the 1960’s he was co-chair of a successful effort to change the form of government in Keokuk from the Commission Form to the Mayor Council Form. He also served on the first Southeast Iowa Regional Riverboat Commission, the State Central Bank Board of Directors, the Grand Theater Commission, the Grand Theater Foundation Board, Keokuk Area Hospital Board of Directors and the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services for Community Accountability.
Chuck was the plant manager for the Keokuk Griffin Wheel Plant and retired in 2000. Prior to the Griffin Wheel Company, he worked for C.S. Abell and Son Electrical Contractors, Cameron Joyce Construction Company, Army Engr. Corp and the Keokuk Steel Casting Company.
In retirement, Chuck enjoyed getting away in the winter months and spent many happy weeks on St. George Island, FL. He and his wife, Jane, also traveled extensively in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. He enjoyed hunting, bicycling, golf and hiking. Chuck particularly enjoyed his weekly golf outings with “the Geezers”, Nick Daskalos, Bob Kemp and Mike Kearns. They never kept score and always stopped at 11:30 for lunch. In his early years, Chuck showed American Saddle Bred Horses competing in equestrian, three gaited and five gaited classes.
Those who knew Chuck Abell recognized he was a selfless man who dearly loved his family, friends and Keokuk. The essence of Chuck was not to think of yourself first, but to think of others.
A visitation will be held at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk on Saturday April 27 from 1 – 3 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 28th from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Smokin’ Gun Hunting Lodge and Event Center in Hamilton, IL.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the Grand Theater or the John Abell Wrestling Camp Award at Keokuk Senior High School.
On-line condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemoiralhome.com

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