Mark E. Gabel

Mark E. Gabel, 54, Rockford, died December 17, 2012 in Rockford Memorial Hospital.Born February 27, 1958 in Rockford, son of Wayne F. and Betty Cropp Gabel.Graduated from Auburn High School in 1977 where he was quarterback on the football team and was a record holder for over 30 years in several swimming events. He received an Associates Degree from Rock Valley College and continued his education by taking many varied classes through the years. He worked for AT&T as a lineman for the past 11 years and was a member of IBEW, Local No.21.He was also a member of the Lombardi Club.Mark was a very pleasant, talented man with a great sense of humor. He loved to dance, was an Arthur Murray dance instructor and was a craftsman at woodworking. Even though he was a dedicated hard worker, who could build and fix anything, he loved to vacation, especially in the Caribbean and loved to scuba dive.Survivors include his parents, Wayne and Betty Gabel; children, Sarah (Matthew) OBrien, Melissa Marshall, Dana (Jeff) Nelson, Sean Gabel, Amy Hart, Sarah Dunlap and Susan Dunlap; 11 grandchildren; siblings, Gail (Denny) Hutchins, Jack (Linda) Gabel, Loretta DeGroat, Tom (June) Gabel, Mary Beth Mengelt, Julie (Mike) Cuccinelli, Bruce (Brenda) Gabel and numerousnieces and nephews.Predeceased by his sister, Barbara Horsfall, brotherinlaw, Kirk Mengelt and grandparents.Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2012 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of the service.Burial in Calvary Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the USO of Illinois, 333 S. Wabash Ave, 16 th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604.Express condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.