John W. Gabel Sr.

John W. “Jack” Gabel Sr., 74, a Vietnam veteran of Rockford, passed away on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, IL. He was born on November 22, 1950, in Rockford, the son of Wayne and Elizabeth (Cropp) Gabel. He married Linda S. (Neblock) Gabel on November 6, 1987, in Reno, Nevada where they remained married for 30 years until her passing on March 23, 2018.

He is survived by his father, Wayne F. Gabel; his children, Duke (Francis) Gabel Jr, Stacy Carlson; his grandchildren, Colby Gabel, Adrianna Gabel, Syleena Gabel, Makenzie Gabel, Madison Carlson, Hunter (Adriana) Harris, and Riley Carlson; his siblings, Mary Beth Mengelt, Bruce (Brenda) Gabel, Gail (Dennis) Hutchins, Loretta DeGroat & Julie (Mike) Cuccinelli; his great grandchildren, Aubree, Levi, Evelyn, Paislee & Koda. He is preceded by his mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Cropp; his sister, Barbara Horsfall; his brothers, Tom & Mark Gabel; and his brother-in-law, Kirk Mengelt.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral service at 1:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford. Burial to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, where Military Honors will take place. To share memories and condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.