Dora May (Houston) Abel

Dora May Houston Abel was born on September 29, 1935 to loving parents William Paul Houston and Dora Ellen Treadway Houston.  She grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana with two younger sisters Pauline Ann Houston and Candy Lou Houston Brown (John) Broken Arrow OK

              In 1967, Dora May married the love of her life, Richard Eugene Abel, Sr. and together they raised their very modern blended family. They had six children:  Gena May Hargrave Buchanan (Steven) Marble NC, Martha Joan Hargrave Collins (Daniel) Lebanon OH, Amy Hargrave Abel Inserra (Donald Wilson), Paul Richard Abel (Marilyn), Greg Russel Abel (Marilyn) Farmersburg, and Richard Eugene Abel Jr.  She was also the proud grandmother of fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.  God Daughter Rachel Kiefer known to all as “her Rachel”

Dora May was preceded in death by her Parents, William and Dora. Sister Candy. Stepson Paul, his wife Marilyn. And her beloved husband Dick.

                Dora May had several occupations over the years.  She started as a soda-jerk, and then spent several years working as an X-Ray Technician and then a Medical Records Technician.  Later, she worked for twelve years as the Deputy Recorder for Vigo County.  She has also served on the Vigo County Board of Health for several years. 

                In addition to the service that Dora May Abel has given through her family and work life, she has been involved with numerous organization and has held leadership position with several of these.  Dora May took great pride in her involvement with the Delta Theta Chi Sorority she served as a past Chapter President as well as District President and National Trustee.  She is also a member of the Wabash Valley American ex. POW Club, The Wabash Valley Business and Profession Women Club, and the Wabash Valley Optimist Club who named her “Woman of the Year.”  She is also involved with the VFW auxiliary.  As an active member of St. Ann Catholic Church, Dora May had been past president of the Mothers’ Club, the Women’s Club and Parish Council.

                Dora May found her real passion for serving the community when she first ran for political office more than thirty years ago.  She was the Democratic Candidate for Honey Creek Township Assessor in 1987.  From there, her involvement with the Democratic Party grew exponentially.  She has served as the past president of the Vigo County Democrat Club as well as past president and secretary of the Southside Democrat Club.  She has served as the Honey Creek E. Democrat Committeemen, Vice Chairman of the Vigo County Democratic Central Committee (1989-1997), a member of the Seventh then Eight Congressional District Democratic Party for years, holding various positions. She Retired from Politics after severing many years as Deputy Chairman of the State Democratic Party.

                Throughout her lifetime, Dora May had received a number of awards for service and achievement.  The Truman Club awarded her with Volunteer of the Year in 1996, Loyal Service to the Democrat Party in 1997 as well as the honor of the Harry S. Truman Award October 23, 2008.She received the Sagamore of the Wabash from Governor Evan Bayh on November 1, 1996.  She also received the Kentucky Colonel from Governor Paul E. Patton on October 24, 2001.  In addition Dora May was always Delegate to the Indiana State Democratic Conventions as well as the Delegate to the National Democratic Convention held in Boston in 2004.  She attended both of President William Clinton’s Presidential Inaugurations. As well as both of President Obama’s. The last time traveling with her granddaughter Casey and great friends, she dubbed the Women of the Wabash.

Visitation is Sunday March 24, 2019 at St Margret Mary Catholic Church, (2405 South 7th St. Terre Haute) from 5:30 to 8pm. Again Monday morning 10am to 12pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Joe Villa at Noon. Special thank you to Sr. Connie Kramer SP for joining us. Committal Rite will be at Roselawn Chapel (7500 North Clinton St. Terre Haute). Our family wishes to thank Gary Greiner and his staff for all that they have done to assist us. Online condolences can be made at www.greinerfuneralhome.com

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