Uncle of Joe Lyddon,
Marianne White,
Pamella Chua,
and a multitude of others.



One COOL Dude
(Click the picture for the Real Thing)



Marion Joseph Abken was born March 30th, 1914, and entered into his Lord's rest November 30th, 2001.

He is survived by his son, Joe, and his wife, Iola; two grandchildren, Janice Swafford and Jeannine Schaedel; two great grandchildren, Brenton and Alaina Swafford.

Marion was born in Avalon, Catalina, to Fredrick and Marie Abken.   He was the third son of four children.  In 1920, Marion left Catalina when his family moved to San Bernardino, California.   He attended school there until he started work in a shoe repair shop in Riverside.   This was during the depression, and steady work was very valuable.

On August 20, 1935 Marion married Pauline, his wife of nearly 64 years.   You've heard it said that someone married the girl next door, well, Marion literally married the girl across the street.   During the depression, they didn't have a car, so they walked to the courthouse for the ceremony and walked back home.

Marion helped put his older brother, John, through Chiropractic college by working in the shoe repair shop in Riverside.   Then, Joe was born December 11th, 1939, there in San Bernardino.   World War II came along and he worked at the air depot (Norton) as an aircraft machinist.   After the war, he worked in another shoe repair in San Bernardino until he saved up enough money to open his own shoe repair business.   He bought the land, built the shop, and purchased the equipment needed to start in 1948.   In the 60's, when they widened Waterman Ave., Marion expanded his shop to include room for boot sales.   He retired from his business in 1984 at the age of 70.   He and Pauline then moved to Yucaipa in November of 1984, next door to Joe and Iola.   Marion cared for Pauline after she developed Alzheimer's up until 9 months before she went home to the Lord in April of 1999.

He loved hunting, fishing, hiking, and just being outdoors.   He didn't care too much for sports, but he dearly loved his family and friends, and was fiercely loyal to them.   Marion was a devoted father and husband.

Marion and Pauline both came to the Lord in the early 90's but he was always remembered as a just man, a man of integrity, moral and someone who wouldn't tolerate someone using the Lords name in vain.

He played the harmonica. . . .   He had a repertoire of only one song and that was Home Sweet Home.

Before Marion or his brother John were married, they went together and bought a motorcycle.   It seems that Marion was pretty wild on it.   (Standing on the seat with his arms held out to the side), I understand that he had a number of pretty serious crashes.   One of the more interesting things about the motorcycle experience is that when Joe was old enough to want a motorcycle of his own, Marion said NO!     He didn't even want him to ride on one.
I wonder why?


March 30, 1914 thru November 30, 2001

His father, Fredrick August Abken, was from Germany.
His Mother, Marie Diwisch, was from Austria.


In Memory


Eda, Marie, & Marion


All dressed up. . .


Three little Indians


Three more Indians?


The Maxwell


Funeral Home


Funeral Home


Mt. View


Mt. View


If you have suggestions, additions, or just want to say Hi, drop me a note.