Shirley D. Abel, 93, died Dec. 22, 2025. She was the wife of the late Robert G. Abel.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Williams S. Drumheller and Esther M. (Diefenderfer) Drumheller.

She graduated from Allentown High School in 1950.

She was a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company before becoming a homemaker with the birth of their children. Later in life, she was a merchandiser for Hallmark and American Greetings.

She was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Whitehall, where she was a Sunday/Bible schoolteacher for many years.

She was a Den Mother for the Boy Scouts of America, becoming a trainer for Den Mothers and Scout leaders. She was a life member and past president of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 367 Fullerton. She was a member of the Woman’s Club of Whitehall and the Whitehall High School Band Parents Association as secretary and designated area parent. She was a founding member of the Whitehall Nite-Owls Camping Club (National Campers and Hikers Association). She also served on the playground and pool planning committees for Jefferson Street Playground.

She is survived by three children, David S. Abel and husband the Rev. Thomas A. Neel, DonnaLee S. A. Yeatts and husband Dewey and Dianna A. Schneck and husband Donald; two grandsons, Andrew Madura with Emily Ripper and Matthew Madura with Áine Kelly.

Contributions may be made to the church, 575 Grape St., Whitehall, 18052; or Lehigh Valley Zoological Society: Feed Tatu, 5150 Game Preserve Road Schnecksville, 18078.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home Inc., Whitehall.