He was born February 15,1935 in Klondike, son of the late Antone and Claudia Fallada Gabriel. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in the Korean Conflict with a tour of duty in Germany. On May 17, 1958 he married the former Marion Hayes at Oconto.
Survivors include his wife, Marion Gabriel, Newton; two sons and daughters-in-law, Antone and Doreen Gabriel, Timothy and Deb Gabriel, all of Manitowoc; one daughter and son-in-law, Tania and Joe Reindi, Francis Creek; five grandchildren, Taylor and Shawny Gabriel, Cal, Jacob and Benjamin Reindl; father-in-law, Wilbur Hayes, Oconto Falls; an aunt and godmother, Blanche Jindra, Two Rivers; three brothers-in-law, Jack Hayes and his wife, Jean, Plymouth; Jerry Hayes and his wife, Rita, Abrams; Gary Hayes, Idaho; a sister-in-law, LaVerne Denneau and her husband, Bob, Kewaskum. He is further survived by two special friends, Eugene and Betsy Reindl, Whitelaw. Also surviving are nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Gladys Hayes; and one brother-in-law, James Hayes. The Pfeffer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Claude enjoyed trout fishing, hunting and bird watching, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.