Obituary of Abe Mitchek

Abe Truman Mitchek was born to Casey and Judi Smelker Mitchek on December 2nd, 1991. Brothers Zac and Justin (Hoot) welcomed him home. Not Abraham, not Abrahm, just Abe. Abe was a tiny baby and never grew to be a very big kid. Abe was adorable with curly blond hair and a sweet disposition. His early nicknames were Aber baber, Abers, Abe T, and Punkin. His brothers adored him and spoiled him every chance they had, even when he was mischievous and trying to get them in trouble with mom and dad. Abe’s early years were spent living out on the family farm where his love for animals and livestock was born. Abe was a member of the Rural Route 4-H club as soon as he was old enough. Abe called it Thor H because he couldn’t say Four. Sometimes his mom and dad would catch him roping his animals at the fair. Abe loved participating in County Days and was well known for not having any fear whether it was riding a steer to the Rawhide Drag with cousin Dean Harvie, which was his favorite event. Abe wanted nothing more than to be a cowboy. One of his biggest disappointments at a young age is when they wouldn’t allow him to go to the bull rider’s camp because they didn’t have a flack jacket small enough for him. Abe was also a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington, where he was baptized shortly after his birth and was confirmed in the Profession of Faith in the spring of 2007. His Godparents for his baptism were Calvin and Lindey Harvie. The family moved to town when Abe was 8. Abe never knew a stranger and quickly became a town kid. The neighbor kids always came to get him to play roller hockey even though they were his older brother’s ages. Cousin Bradley Matthies and buddy Chris Humrich inspired Abe to play Cougar sports ever since he could remember. Abe started playing baseball when he was old enough to play but wasn’t allowed to take his bat to Kristy’s daycare because he didn’t always behave himself. Abe was chosen for the baseball All-Star team for many years and was in the Who’s Who of Cal Ripken baseball. Abe was also chosen baseball all-conference his freshman year of high school. His summers were spent either at the baseball field, the fairgrounds with his animals, or at the swimming pool, where Abe was also a member of the Burlington swim club. Abe started pee wee wrestling at the age of 4 and wanted to be a Cougar wrestler like his older brothers. He went to the Rocky Mountain Nationals several years with his Uncle Sam and cousin Tyson. Win or lose the boys always had a great time. Sometimes Abe would forget his singlet and had to wear one that was too small for him but Abe didn’t care, not much could embarrass him. Abe wrestled in junior high for the Cougars where he had two successful seasons, his 8th grade year he didn’t lose a match and was chosen as a favorite to watch coming into his freshman year of high school by a wrestling sports writer in Colorado. Needless to say, Abe lived hard and played hard. His mom and dad always wished that Abe would put that kind of energy into his school work. Some of Abe’s favorite activities besides his sports and animals were skateboarding and spending time with his friends and family. The family would take vacations from time to time. A recent trip was to Clayton, New Mexico for Aunt Stella’s funeral where Abe insisted on going to Fort Sumner to visit Billy the Kid’s grave. He was a huge western movie fan and some of his favorites were Tombstone and Young Guns which he would watch over and over again and knew them word for word. Good-natured and good hearted were two traits that shown through Abe; he was participated in events that most boys would not like modeling for 4-H at the fair, the little cheerleaders camp (because his mom was the coach), and twirling flags for the Cougar Band in Jr. High. Abe didn’t mind, he still enjoyed spending time with his classmates and friends. Abe was always a happy and care-free child until he lost his older brother Zac four years ago in a work related accident. This tragic event made a huge impact on the entire family, but Abe and Justin were the light in their parent’s eyes that helped them deal with Zac’s loss. Abe left this life and joined his brother Zac in heaven on Friday, December 4th leaving this life way too soon, and his father Casey, mother Judi, and brother Justin to live on in his absence. Abe will be sorely missed by his family and all the friends that he has made in his short life. We know he is now free of pain and in peace at last. Abe is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by his brother Zac, two cousins Jennifer Wells and Holly Jo Mitchek, Paternal grandmother Viola Carr, Paternal grandfather Dale Mitchek, and great grandparents Ivan and Wilma Smelker.