Rev. Dr. Donald C. Bable

The Rev. Dr. Donald Carl Bable, 72, of Lakeside, OH, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton, OH. He was born February 8, 1934 in East Fairfield, OH, the son of Lawrence and Marguerite (Bell) Bable. A lifelong student, Dr. Bable received a bachelor’s degree from Muskingum College, a master’s degree from Kent State University, a Master’s of Divinity from the Ohio Methodist Theological School and a PhD from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Bable was a member of the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He retired from the Conference in 1997 and retired as executive officer and president of the Flat Rock Homes & Care Center in Flat Rock, OH in 1998, where he had served for 22 years. Prior to his time at Flat Rock, he served as pastor in Freeport, Jewett-New Rumley, Salem, Sebring and Howland, OH. Dr. Bable served as Vice Chair of the Otterbein North Shore Board of Directors, as Chair of Otterbein North Shore Strategic Planning Committee, and was community elected by North Shore to the Otterbein Homes Board of Trustees. He was a former CEO and co-founder of the North Shore Retirement Community. His gentle, caring ministry to others and his desire for justice for all people touched many lives. Dr. Bable was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who devoted his retirement time to friends and family, especially his nine grandchildren, whom he cherished. Surviving are his wife, Miriam (Cope) Bable whom he married on June 19, 1955; daughters, Beth (Mark) Gildenmeister of Bellevue, OH and Jill (William) Geiger of Columbus, OH; daughter-in-law, Marcia Bable of Columbiana, OH; grandchildren, Eric and Alex Bable; Karl, Kurt, Corrine and Kraig Gildenmeister; and Zane, Ava and Lila Geiger; and a sister Beverly (George) Lunger of Columbiana, OH. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Bruce Eric Bable in 2004 and a brother, Larry Bable. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Saturday, November 4 at the Lakeside United Methodist Church, 450 Central Avenue, Lakeside, with the Revs. Jerry Phelps, Phillip H. Gillis and L. Mark George officiating. There will be visiting time with the family at the church at 1 pm and immediately following the service. A graveside committal service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday at the East Fairfield Cemetery, East Fairfield, Ohio. Visiting time with the family will follow the service at the East Fairfield United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Flat Rock Homes and Care Center, Flat Rock, Ohio 44828, Otterbein North Shore Retirement Community, or the Lakeside United Methodist Church. The Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Peninsula Chapel, Lakeside-Marblehead, is assisting the family with arrangements. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Peninsula Chapel 7755 East Harbor Road Lakeside-Marblehead, OH