Samuel V. Alabata, age 88, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Sam had worked at Aro Corporation in Bryan as a physical therapist for 15 years and then moved to St. Louis to pursue his love of art working there for 19 years.
He taught art lessons in Bryan for many years. He was a member of Trinity Seventh Day Adventist church near Defiance. Sam never knew a stranger.
Samuel V. Alabata was born on August 9, 1931, in Mindanao, Philippines, the son of Tomas and Maria (Vasquez) Alabata. As a child, he was captured by the Japanese and was held as a POW during World War II. He married Roxanne R. Fedderke on October 24, 1975, in Evansport, Ohio and she survives.
Surviving in addition to his wife are his children, Kevin Alabata, of Bryan, Cathy (Doug Herman) Enriquez, of Hamilton, Indiana, and Susie (Tony) Ebersole, of Henderson, Nevada; step daughters, Tamara (Ronald) Ryman and Michelle (Kevin) Friesen, both of Bryan; 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, with 2 more on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents and 7 brothers and sisters.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020, from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. in the Krill Funeral Home, 860 West Mulberry Street, Bryan. Funeral service will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at the Trinity Seventh Day Adventist Church, 20287 State Route18, Defiance, OH 43512, with Pastor Roy Lawinsky officiating. Private family burial will be in Fountain Grove Cemetery, Bryan.
Memorials are requested to the American Kidney Foundation.
