Carmen V. Abata

Carmen V. Abata, age 86, of Caspian, MI, died Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls. He was born March 11, 1925 in Caspian, MI, the son of the late Ralph and Mary (Tenuta) Abata. He attended the Caspian Grade School and Stambaugh High School. Carmen was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII. He was a Prisoner of War and recipient of the Purple Heart. Carmen married the former Irma Peretto on December 7, 1946 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian and the couple were lifelong residents of the area. They celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary in 2007. Irma preceded him in death on June 17, 2008. He was employed by the M.A. Hanna Mining Company, working in the local mines, retiring from the Groveland Mine after 30 years. Carmen was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Caspian, the American Legion Reino Post #21, and the Volunteer Fireman for the City of Caspian. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, James, Sam, and Joe, and two sisters, Emma Bellantonio and Fanny Smitham. He is survived by two sons, Don (Ann) Abata of Seoul, South Korea and Ronald Abata of Trenton, NJ; one daughter, Carole (Bruce) Rivard of Caspian; one sister, Angeline Reiser of New Berlin, WI; two grandchildren, Gina Kallio and Heidi Thompson; one great grandchild, Paige Thompson; nieces, nephews and extended family. Visitation will be Monday, November 28, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. The members of the Iron Range Firefighters Association will do a walk through at 5:30 p.m. at the visitation. Funeral Service will be Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St Cecilia Catholic Church, Iron River with Rev. Gregory Veneklase, Pastor, to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery, Iron River.The West Side Veterans will accord Military Rites at the graveside in the spring. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron River. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carmen V. Abata, please visit our flower store.