Emelene S. Gabel, 86, of Thompsontown, died at 5:02 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born on September 16, 1928, in Delaware Twp., Juniata County, she was a daughter of the late Henry W. and Esther M. (Auker) Shelley. On December 11, 1948, she married her surviving husband, Stanley J. Gabel, with whom she was blessed to share nearly 67 years of marriage.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Sandra Williams and her husband, John, Sr., of New Cumberland, Melodee Kerr and her husband Stephen, of Millerstown, Karla Gabel and her husband William Sheaffer, Judd Gabel and his wife Paula, all of Cocolamus; a sister, Helen Pasi, of Brockway; grandchildren, Erin Kessel, John Williams, Jr., Emily Williams, Misha Kelemen, Tristan Kerr, Shelley Gabel, Garrett Gabel; and she leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren.
One daughter, Shelley Hope Gabel and five siblings, Betty J. Lentz, Wilmer O. Shelley, James A. Shelley, Rolland H. P. Shelley and Arlene R. Sieber, preceded her in death.
Mrs. Gabel was a member of the Free Spring Church of the Brethren, where she helped with Vacation Bible School, the Meat Canning Project and the Truck Stop Ministry. She also delivered Meals on Wheels and was a 4 H leader of the Beef and Swine Clubs.
In earlier life, she dipped peanut butter cups for Reese’s, worked at Precisionware and was a waitress at Benner’s Restaurant, as well as being a devoted farm wife. In 1997, she retired as a medical records clerk from the Carlisle Hospital.
Emelene had many interests. She loved animals, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, gardening, canning and freezing food from her garden. She raised registered Collies, was well known for her cookies and was a legendary pie baker.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015 from the Free Spring Church of the Brethren, 670 Free Spring Church Road, Mifflintown with Pastor Terry Smith officiating. Interment will be held at 9 a.m., on Friday in the Goodwill Cemetery, Bunkertown.
Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service, on Friday at the church.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Gabel’s memory to the Free Spring Church of the Brethren, 670 Free Spring Church Road, Mifflintown, PA 17059.
The Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 111 Westfall St., McAlisterville has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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