Dan Mitchell Abrams, age 70, passed away peacefully in the Palliative care unit at Riverside Hospital on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Dan was surrounded by his family during his week at Riverside Hospital. Dan is finally pain free after suffering for over 20 years with the after effects from bone cancer.
Dan was born on June 10, 1951 to Luther and Virginia (Detrick) Abrams in Bellefontaine. Dan graduated from Bellefontaine High School in 1969.
Right after graduation, Dan started working for the railroad company, Penn Central, which later was bought by Conrail. Dan worked for the railroad for over 10 years. In 1982, Dan was one of the first groups of people to be hired with Honda of America auto plant in Marysville. He started on the assembly line, but due to his many intelligent suggestions put in the Honda suggestion box, Dan was moved to the office staff pretty quickly. Dan worked for Honda until his early retirement (due to disability) in 2009.
Dan enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and golfing before he was diagnosed with cancer. He loved hanging out with his friends, taking golf trips, and spending time with his family. Dan was a jokester who loved to pull pranks on his family and friends. He was an instigator who every year on Christmas Eve asked one of the kids there, “When are we opening presents? Ask grandma when we are opening them!”
After his cancer diagnosis, and subsequent disability, Dan enjoyed antiquing while looking for a “diamond in the rough” to make him rich. He also loved watching his grandchildren’s many football, baseball, and soccer games throughout the years. Dan also was a huge Ohio State Buckeyes fan, and a lover of iced tea (no sugar) and pizza. Dan lived with a lot of chronic pain, yet still kept moving forward trying not to complain. His faithful wife, Roxanne, was his caregiver for over 20 years. Dan wasn’t able to walk the last couple years of his life, but Roxanne tried every day to make him comfortable.
Dan is survived by his loving wife and partner of 38 years, Roxanne Abrams, his loving sister Sandy (wife of the late Donny Horn), and his in-laws Junior and Betty Kinney. He is also survived by his loving children daughter, Kristy (Tim) Culp of Hilliard, Ohio and grandchildren Jacob, Bailey, and Elizabeth; daughter Katy (Len) Taylor of Jackson Center, Ohio and grandchildren Hannah, Lucas, and Emma and great granddaughters Averie and Ariella; son Davey (Wendy) Shamblin and grandchildren Tyler, Tegan, Grace, and Graylyn; daughter Debbie (Shamblin) Stepp and grandchildren Brady, Beau, and Beckett; numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly; and beloved pets Bear and Napoleon.
Dan was predeceased by his mother, Virginia, and father, Luther “Whitey” Abrams.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the 7th floor Yellow Palliative team at Riverside Hospital. Without their support during this week, it would have been even more difficult.
A funeral service will take place Wednesday, July 7, at 1 p.m. at Jennings Farley & Seeley Funeral Home & Crematory, 5591 US Route 68 South, West Liberty. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of the service. Burial will take place in Fairview Cemetery-West Liberty following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to James Cancer Research Center, The Ohio State University Foundation, P.O. Box 710811, Columbus, OH 43271.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.jenningsfarley.com.