John Philip Van Abel, age 77, of North Canton passed away Saturday November 7, 2009 in the comfort of his home. He was born February 12, 1932 in Quincy, IL. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1949. John attended Miami University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon. He was on active duty in the U.S. Army stationed in Korea for 13 months. He returned home and graduated from Mount Union College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956. He received his JD from Ohio State University College of Law in 1959. In May 1959 John joined Amerman, Burt and Jones which later became Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs. He was honored in May 2009 by the American Bar Association for 50 years of continuous practice. He received the Martindale- Hubbell attorney rating A+. John belonged to the Ohio Bar Association, Stark County Bar Association and was a founding member of the American Academy of Hospital Attorneys and served on their Board of Trustees. President Reagan appointed him to serve on the task force for the American Hospital Society for Malpractice. He was past President of Ohio Society of Hospital Attorneys. He was chairman of the Kent State University Advisor Board, and was on the Advisory Board of Mount Union College. He was a past President and Treasurer of the Canton Museum of Art and a member of Sam's Club. John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carole; two daughters and sons-in-law Sarah and Alan Zuckerman, Susan and Eric Trindl from Evergreen, Colorado; and four grandchildren Sam, Adam, Carlee and John. Calling hours are Tuesday 5-7:30 PM in the Arnold Funeral Home, Canton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday 10:00 AM in St. Paul's Catholic Church with Fr. Jay Clarke celebrant. Final resting place is North Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canton Museum of Art, 1001 Market Ave.,N, Canton, OH 44702, Mount Union College, 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, OH 44601 or to St. Paul's Catholic Church, 303 S. Main St., North Canton, OH 44720. Arnold 330-456-7291 www.arnoldfuneralhome.com