Obituary from the Fairbanks, Alaska "Daily News-Miner" newspaper, dated Thursday, May 20, 2010, page B-2:

Deke Anthony Abel passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2010, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. He lost his final valiant battles with heart disease, kidney failure and liver failure.
Deke was born Aug. 1, 1944, in Seattle to Richard and Ethel (Versai) Abel. He moved to Fairbanks in May 1952 with his family and had resided here ever since. He attended local schools and throughout the years made many friends and worked a great variety of jobs. Making and selling ice cream and playing in a rock 'n' roll band in Barrow; working on the North Slope before the oil discovery; working on a crab boat in the Bering Sea; moving furniture and household goods; driving a taxi; and cooking at UAF Lower Commons were just some of the many jobs he had throughout the years.

Deke served four years in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific from 1966 to 1970. In July 1971, he married his wife, Maria, in Fairbanks. Later, they opened a restaurant in downtown Fairbanks. He operated Maria's Place Cafe for 13 years until he could no longer work because of his illnesses.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. There were probably few places where he and his friends did not hunt and fish in the Interior.

Deke is survived by his wife, Maria, of Fairbanks; his brothers and sister-in-law, Glen and Mary Abel and Kerry Abel, of Fairbanks; sisters, Susan Abel-Carey (Zoso), of Louisville, Ky. and Jeannine Abel, of Phoenix; nieces and nephews, Glyn Abel-Komkai (Pavat) and son Kieran, of Fairbanks, Candace Wike (Kevin) and sons Robert Abel, Stephan Wike, daughters Megan and Julianne Wike, of Eielson Air Force Base, Jennifer Wilson and sons Matthew and Andrew, of Charlotte, N.C., Heather Abel, of Charlotte, Monica Hill and daughter Chauntalei Kent and sons Marshea Kent and Darious Hill, of Fairbanks; and Cameron Hill and sons Ethan and Logan, of Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Ethel Abel; and sister-in-law, Katherine Abel.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 22, at Chapel of Chimes. Come share your memories of this longtime Alaskan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to assist the family with medical and funeral expenses or to your favorite charity.

Any questions or inquiries should be routed to Glen or Mary Abel at 452-4346 or mail to 405 Baranof Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701-3209.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home. Published in Daily News-Miner on May 20, 2010