Roberta Kay “Birdie” Abel, 76, passed away at 4:27 am on June 27, 2023, at Good Samaritan Hospital. Birdie was born on June 8, 1947, in Vincennes and she is the daughter of Robert and Helen (Nitchman) Barksdale. Birdie married Roy Sheren on August 30, 1969, and he preceded her in death on October 3, 1978. She then married James Abel on March 6, 1981, and he preceded her in death on March 26, 2020.
Birdie was a huge Chicago Cubs fan, an avid bowler and she loved bingo, playing cards and going to casinos. She worked for many years at Fort Sackville and the Knox County Clerk’s Office. Birdie always enjoyed watching her grandchildren participating in their sporting activities.
Survivors include her children Mike Sheren and his wife Sherry, BJ Helderman, Shannon Abel and his wife Chrissy; daughter-in-law, Judy Abel; her grandchildren, Brittany Shreve, Rhett, Lucy and Kolby Sheren, Sierra and Kaitlyn Helderman, Myles and Mallory Litherland, Hailey and Emilie Abel; her great grandchildren, Callie Wheeler, Tayler Abel, James and Nathaniel Shreve, as well as several in laws. Birdie is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Robert Barksdale, her first husband Roy Sheren, her second husband James Abel, son, Jeff Abel and several in laws.
Friends may visit with Birdies family from 11:00 am until the hour of her service time of 1:00 pm on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, IN 47591. Rev. Tony Ernst will officiate, and Birdie will be laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery. Birdie’s family has requested memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Online memories may be shared with Birdie’s family and friends at www.goodwinsievers.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Birdie and her family.
