Michael W. Abbiehl

Michael Wayne Abbiehl, age 80, formerly of North Liberty, passed away at his home in Rochester, Indiana with his family by his side on Saturday, June 25, 2022.  Mike was born November 13, 1941 in Mishawaka, Indiana to the late Marlow W. and Myrtle (Geisler) Abbiehl.  On July 7, 1962. Mike married Sharolyn “Shari” Early at the United Methodist Church in South Bend.  They celebrated nearly 60 years of marriage prior to Mike’s passing.

Surviving is his wife, Shari Abbiehl and their daughter, April Abbiehl, both of Rochester, Indiana, Mike’s children Michael (Cathy) Abbiehl of Mishawaka and Mary Perry of Osceola, and his daughter-in-law, Teena Abbiehl.   Surviving as well are his grandchildren Dustin (Ashley) Abbiehl of Walkerton, Indiana and Jennifer (Jamie) Waldron of South Bend, along with his great-grandchildren Mia and Beau Abbiehl and Austin, Karman, Raelynn, and Grayson Waldron.  His son Richard “Rick” Abbiehl and his brother, David Abbiehl preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held from 4-6 pm Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home in Mishawaka.  Pastors Jim Howard and Todd Wilson of the Church of the Heartland, Rochester, will officiate the 6:00pm funeral immediately following visitation on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home.  Cremation will follow and the family will have a private interment at a later date.

Mike was employed for many years as a heavy machinery mechanic with Studebaker, AJ Choitz (John Deere) of South Bend, and later retired from Allied Products (now South Bend Stamping) in 2008 after 20 years of service.  His love for his career in heavy machinery mechanics was passed down to his grandson, Dustin, who was by his Grandpa’s side from a very early age and continues to work with heavy equipment to this day.

In his younger years, Mike enjoyed driving his own late model stock cars on local tracks throughout the Midwest such as the South Bend Motor Speedway, Plymouth and New Paris Speedway and Mottville and Hartford Speedways in Michigan.  He also raced for several years while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico before retiring after 25 years on the track.  Mike also loved “mud bogging” and enjoyed going to events throughout the years.

His talent for woodworking was unmatched, and he and his family created “wind spinners,” intricate jigsaw puzzles and custom yard decorations for many years.  They enjoyed attending festivals together displaying his creations for several years in the early 2000’s.

Mike was extremely supportive of our nation’s veterans. His family asks that donations be made to any local VFW Post in his memory.  To light a virtual candle, share a story of Mike’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.