Paoli (Orange County, Indiana) Republican, August 23, 1960, from the
collection of Wilma Davis, Paoli, Indiana.
Donald M. Abel, 36, sandstone company quarry foreman, was found dead Sunday
evening in his parked truck. The Route 2, West Baden father of four
children was the victim of a gunshot wound.
The victim was found in his truck parked on the old Vincennes Road in
Northwest Township. The sheriff's department was notified by John Hughes
who discovered the body about 7:30 Sunday evening. The truck was parked in
the middle of the road about 500 yards from the Bond's Church and near the
Hughes store in Northwest Township. Ignition switch of the truck was in
lock position, and the vehicle in low gear.
Deputy Sheriff Kenneth Hickman said that Abel was sitting behind the wheel
of his truck. The body was slumped forward but was propped up by the
shotgun that rested on the floorboard of the truck. The double-barrel
hammerless shotgun was butt down on the floorboard leaning toward the
victim. The deputy said that the gun was off safety and that one barrel had
fired; the left chamber remained loaded. The shot hit the victim just below
the temple.
Mr. Abel had been squirrel hunting according to authorities. He had visited
at the home of his brother, Foster, in the Sand Hill Ridge neighborhood
earlier and left his brother's house about 6:30.
Orange County Coroner Ivan A. Clark has not yet returned a verdict on the
shooting. He said Monday that his verdict awaits the return of state police
laboratory reports.
Final rites for the gun victim will be held Wednesday afternoon at Bonds
Chapel Church. Rev. Robert Hawkins will officiate at the 2:00 o'clock
service. Burial is in the church cemetery with arrangements by Schmutzler
funeral directors.
Mr. Abel was born in Orange County August 26, 1924, a son of Mr. and Mrs.
William Abel of Orleans. Surviving with the parents are his wife, Alma, two
sons, David and Phillips, and two daughters, Linda and Leah, all at home;
seven brothers, Foster of West Baden, Leo Abel of Iowa, Hayden and Lloyd
Abel of Orleans, Bruck (sic)Abel of French Lick, Roy Abel of Mitchell and
Clarence Abel of Indianapolis; and two sisters, Mrs. Charlotte Allen of
Orleans and Mrs. Betty Meehan of West Baden.