Dr. James Joseph Abeler, Sr., 97, completed his earthly mission at 0710 on Veteran's Day 2021. The World War II Navy pilot reported to his Commander-In-Chief in heaven on November 11, passing away peacefully at his home in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Jim was born in St. Paul, MN on October 27, 1924, to George and Margaret (Marien) Abeler. His youthful
interests included violin and iceboating, for which he built his own craft. He graduated from St. Paul
Harding High School in 1942 and upon turning eighteen enlisted into the Navy. Lieutenant "Sunny Jim"
Abeler served for 32 months, flying fighters off the USS Randloph in support of naval campaigns over
Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Tokyo.

Jim's next mission took him to Logan Chiropractic College in St. Louis, Missouri and then back to
Minnesota where in 1952 he opened the Abeler Chiropractic Clinic in Anoka. Soon afterwards a young
and handsome "Dr. Abeler" met a young and vivacious school teacher named Vivian Sanderson. Jim and
"Sandy" were married on May 23, 1953, and over the next eight years were blessed with a daughter and
five sons.

In addition to restoring the health of thousands as a pioneer chiropractor, Jim was a faithful provider for
his family in their home on the Mississippi River. Jim encouraged his children as a Boy Scouts
Scoutmaster and led family excursions to a VFW resort on Lake Minnetonka's Big Island, family camps at
Camp Lebanon, and to southwest Florida, where in 1987 they purchased a seasonal home in Cape Coral.
His passion for flight never waned, inspiring the thrill of becoming part-owner of a Beechcraft
Sundowner.

Though raised in devout, God-fearing homes, it was not until 1964 that both Jim and Sandy realized the
joy of unmerited salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Before long Jim was active in his faith teaching Sunday
School and distributing Bibles for Gideons International. He also became a valued volunteer at Camp
Lebanon, where in 2017 he was honored as a "Camp Legend" for his tireless work installing irrigation,
screeding concrete, and rocking fireplaces.

Wonderful memories of this devoted husband, kind father, and generous friend will be forever
cherished by Sandy, his wife of sixty-eight-and-a-half years; six children: Jim II (Barb) of Anoka, Jon
(Masumi) of Roseville, Liz (John) Blaylock of Coon Rapids, Bill (Lisa) of Burtrum, Steve (Kimla) of Anoka,
and Dave (Brenda) of Coon Rapids; twenty-four grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; foster daughter, Dorothy Gilk, three foster grands and
countless friends. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Betty Stodola, in-laws Monte and Lily
Sanderson, and grandson Josiah Abeler.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Jim's life on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at First Baptist
Church in Anoka with visitation at 1 PM and memorial service at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, please direct
memorials to Camp Lebanon by mail (1205 Acorn Road, Burtrum, MN 56318) or online at
www.camplebanon.org/donate.

Special thanks to grandson Jude, in-home caregivers Patti and Karen, and to the many family and friends
who lovingly cared for Jim in his final year. Thank you, too, to grandson Matthew for capturing Jim's life,
voice, and Navy history in a 30-minute video interview that can be viewed at this link:
https://youtu.be/iaswzCuGbY8 .