Dr. Abell was born December 12, 1913 in Rome, Pennsylvania. He grew up on the family farm in Rome, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Towanda High School and attended the University of Pennsylvania where he earned the Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Abell taught at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School before responding to his Nation’s call to service. Dr. Abell served in the Army Veterinary Corps in World War II serving in the Pacific Theater.
Returning from the Pacific Theater, he married Ruth Smith of Winston-Salem, North Carolina on July 9, 1943. When he completed his military service, they moved to Rome, Pennsylvania where Dr. Abell joined another Veterinarian, Dr. Isaac Stoll to form Stoll and Abell Veterinary Practice. He practiced veterinary medicine throughout Northeast Pennsylvania and the southern tier of New York State for 35 years. Dr. and Mrs. Abell retired from the practice and moved to Pfafftown, North Carolina in June 1979.
Dr. Abell was very active in the community as members of the Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, the Grange, and the Garden Club. He was also a member of the Roman Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons in Rome, PA; the Towanda Pennsylvania Rifle and Pistol Club; and American Legion Post 42 in Towanda, PA where he was a member of the WWII Last Man’s Club.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his son Charlie Abell of Fairfax, Virginia; his daughter Sally Rieger of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; his daughter Nina Borow of Williamsport, Pennsylvania; his sister Margerite Harbachuk of Vestal, New York; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Inurnment services for Dr. Abell will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. Reverend Dwight Cartner will officiate. Relatives and friends are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in the name of Dr. Leonard Abell be made to Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church in Pfafftown, NC or to Hospice of The Piedmont.
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