Drewe N. Abel, Sr., age 78, of Spruce Street, Hellertown PA, died Friday, June 3, 2005 at home surrounded by his loving family. Drewe certainly was a courageous man who battled cancer to the end. He is the husband of Jo Ann (Peters) Abel. The couple celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary this past May.

Born in Hellertown PA, he is the son of the late Attorney Victor J. Abel Sr. and Marian J. (Natter) Abel. He was an Assistant Supervisor of the Personnel Department in the Structural Shipping Yard of the Bethlehem Steel Corp., retiring in 1984. After retirement he was a Bus Driver for the Saucon Valley School District.

He is a Member of First United Church of Christ, Hellertown, where he was a Choir Member, Elder, the Tuesday Work Group, and served the Consistory.

Drewe served his country faithfully during World War II in the 1322 Signal Corp Battalion. He was Past Commander of the Edward H. Ackerman Post 397, where he was on the Firing Squad for many years. He was awarded a Life Membership for completing several projects in the past including the World War I Display and securing and displaying pictures of all the past Commanders of the Post.

He was also a past Member of the Executive Committee and County Commander, 30th, District Adjutant and PA Eastern Section Sgt.-at-Arms. He was also a Member of 40/8 Voiture Locale 697 Northampton County. He also served on the Board for the Hellertown Historical Association, was a member of the Dewey Fire Company and the Hellertown Sportsmens Club and served in the past on the board of the Saucon Valley Community Center. He truly loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his Wife; Son, Drewe N. Abel Jr. "Buck" and his wife Katherine H. of Rocky Mount NC; Daughter, Nancy A., wife of Joseph W. Talarico of Cherry Hill NJ; 4 Grandchildren, Erin D. Smale, Marissa N. Smale, Joseph W. Talarico II, and Kristen T. Abel and 1 Great Granddaughter, Jania M. Newman. He is predeceased in death by his Daughter, Diane M. Smale, 1999 and Brother, Victor J. Abel Jr., 1979.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at the First United Church of Christ, 501 Northampton St., Hellertown with Military Honors. The Reverend Dr. Jack Smith and Pastor Karen Yonney officiating. Family and Friends may call 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 326 Main Street, Hellertown and 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Church.

In lieu of flower, Memorials in Drewe's name may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First United Church of Christ, 18055.