Michael Robert Gabbitas

Michael Robert Gabbitas, 83 years old from Springville, Utah, born February 16, 1941 in Spanish Fork, Utah, died April 24, 2024 in Springville from natural causes.  He married Beverly Larsen on August 9, 1962 in the Logan LDS Temple.  Together they raised four children: Mike “Rob”ert (Cindy) Gabbitas; Abby Lynn (Brad) Gardner; Heather (Aaron) Tilton, deceased and divorced; Kami (Mike) Curtis, divorced.  He was preceded in death by a son, Darren Gabbitas and a daughter, Heather Tilton; also, parents Robert and Beryl Hill Gabbitas.

Mike graduated from Springville High School then enlisted in the Marine Corps shortly thereafter.  He went to bootcamp and was honorably discharged due to a knee injury one month in.  He then got a job working for Thorn Rock Products where he worked for 17 years on road constructions crews and later as a mechanic.  After Thorn went out of business, he went to work for Geneva Rock Products where he worked as a mechanic and shop foreman until his retirement in 2002.

He was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many callings.  Mike was a family man and loved spending time camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, ATV’s and his beloved Kawasaki UTV with all his kids and grandkids either up the nearby canyons, especially Hobble Creek, Diamond Fork, Strawberry and Lake Powell.  He was an avid outdoorsman and knew the surrounding mountains and deserts.  Everybody always asked him where all the big bucks and bulls were hiding out.  Sometimes he’d tell and sometimes not! He also loved collecting rocks and fossils and had many in his collection as well as many polished rocks.

Mike is survived by his two brothers: Clyde (Kathleen) and David (LaRae); his son, Mike “Rob” (Cindy); daughters, Abby (Brad) Gardner and Kami (Mike) Curtis, divorced; ex son-in-law Aaron Tilton; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his daughter, Heather Tilton; and son, Darren.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Monday, April 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, April 30th at 11:00 a.m. in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.