Ernestine Abel

Mom’s Obituary
Ernestine (Bond) Abel celebrated her 99th birthday on July 30, 2021. On Tuesday October 19, 2021 Ernestine’s spirit departed her body freeing her of the encumbrances imposed by progressive disease and advanced age.
Ernestine was born on July 30, 1922 in Decatur, Illinois the first child of John R. Bond Jr. and his first wife Lula (Morgan) Bond. Her parents divorced and eventually married other people. Ernestine was raised in Decatur with her dad and his second wife, Mamie (Softley) Bond. Six years after Ernestine’s birth her only sibling, John R. Bond the third was born to her dad and stepmom, Mamie. Ernestine adored her younger brother the entirety of their lives. She grew up with close family and friends attending public schools through graduation from Decatur High.
In 1941 Ernestine married her sweetheart, Ivan Ray Abel. Ivan and Ernestine were married for 61 years until his death in 2002. They have three daughters, Gayle Moore, Judy Hair (Donald) and Rita Abel (Rocky Parker). Grandchildren include Teresa Means, Angela Moore (Robert Nongauza), Kevin Haynes, Kimberly Ashcraft and Donald Hair Jr. (Marlene). Great grandchildren are Alexandra and Christopher Means, Tyler Mackenzie, Donielle, Janae, and Chante Hair. Great, Great grandchildren are Brooklyn and Josiah Mackenzie. Family was the heart of Ernestine’s life. She was a loving, caring mother and grandmother who enjoyed the company of her family members. Watching the babies play always brought a joyful smile to her face.
Ernestine was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Abel, twin babies Dean and Deana, her parents, John R. and Mamie Bond and Lula and Sam Holmes, and her brother, John R Bond III.
After serving in the army in World War Two, Ivan worked for Caterpillar Tractor Company in Decatur and Ernestine went to work as a civilian employee at the Decatur Army Depot. In 1961 Ernestine and Ivan moved their family to Sacramento, CA. She transferred to the Sacramento Army Depot and he went to work for the United States Postal Service as well as becoming a real estate broker. They enjoyed living in California. They planted gardens, traveled annually to his reunions with his 485th Army Battalion, visited family in Illinois and traveled to Europe and Africa. She dabbled in numerous hobbies after retirement including ceramics, photography, cake decorating, knitting, crocheting, jewelry making and a couple of computer classes. The family loved her ceramic vases and angels. All of her children received at least one angel. For a while she walked regularly with a group of neighbors and friends at Sunrise Mall before the stores opened.
Ernestine enjoyed her church family at Shiloh Baptist Church, including Sunday School Class A 6 and the Mother’s Board. When mobility became an issue for Ernestine to physically attend church, the telephone calls and cards never stopped coming from the Shiloh family: Mrs Peeler, Mrs Cooke, the Maurice Cole family, the Grace family and many others too numerous to name. She appreciated hearing from you and receiving your cards and notes. Reverend Sadler’s visit and prayer with Ernestine and family a few days before she died was soothing to her soul and her family is most grateful. Thank you Shiloh.
Finally, Ernestine lived at The Gardens at Laguna Springs memory care the last seven months of her life. Please know that Ernestine’s family remains eternally grateful for every loving act of kindness extended to her by anyone involved in her care, thank you for the tender care from her hospice health aides and blessings to her fellow residents who were friendly and caring in their interactions with her. Ernestine Abel’s family sees, loves and appreciates you. Thank you.

All are welcome to attend funeral services with burial to follow on Tuesday November 2nd at 10:00am at our East Lawn Chapel located at 9189 East Stockton Blvd. in Elk Grove.