Epling, Eddie Egbert Eugene

Eddie Egbert Eugene Epling departed this life on Monday, April 6, 2015, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family. He enjoyed the happy reflections consequent upon a well-spent life and passed away with the hope of a glorious immortality. He was a compassionate and loving husband to Beulah Link Epling, his wife of 51 years and father to his five children, Pamela Williams (David), Cindy Epling, Melissa Skurupey, Elizabeth Blankenship (Neil) and Michael Epling (Kira). He was grandfather to nine, Laura, Matthew (Clara), Courtney, Austin, Dillon, Alexis, Aaliyah, Abbie, and Wyatt. He had one great-grandchild whom he adored, Gavin Williams. He was born in 1943 to the late Arnold (Jack) Epling and Bessie Blevins Lytle. He is preceded in death by a special aunt and uncle, Beulah and Crockett Sarver and sisters Leah Epling, and Ermadene Caldwell, His surviving siblings are Barbara Witten, Harold Moore, Michelle Lytle, Michael Lytle and Jenny McCall and a very special cousin Denita Verbeck. He was a graduate of Newport High School, Class of 1961 and a member Clover Hollow Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He was a 32 year member of Castle Rock Masonic Lodge 334 A.F. & A. M. Pembroke VA. Eddie was a man of many talents. He was a skilled machinist, an old-school farmer, a caring friend and neighbor and above all, he was a family man. His talent as a machinist was demonstrated by his 40 year career in the machine shop at Poly-Scientific (Moog), where he was better known by his friends and co-workers as “Hucklebuck”. He learned his farming techniques as a very young man new to farm life when we moved from Arizona to Clover Hollow. His Uncle Crockett taught him to milk cows, tend sheep and cattle and ride horses. He plowed soil, planted seed, mowed and baled hay and learned to love and respect the land and animals entrusted to his care. You could have no better friend or neighbor than Eddie. He was a steadfast and loyal friend and was always willing to go the extra mile to help a friend or neighbor. But his true talent was that of family man and that was what filled his home with love and laughter. He was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and friends. He loved hosting family gathering, birthday parties, cookouts, and holiday celebrations. He made his a home a welcoming place for all and there was always room at his table for one more friend. The love and devotion of his family are evidence of his success as a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Eddie was an outdoorsman and liked to hunt and fish. He spent many hours “on the mountain” in Clover Hollow camping and deer hunting. He loved to sell and trade at flea markets and had perfected the art of haggling and making a deal. The family expresses a special thanks for the wonderful care given by Davita Dialysis, Pearisburg. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 10 at Sherry Memorial Christian Church, Mountain Lake Road, Newport. Interment will follow on the Ernest Link family farm on Rocky Sink Road, Newport. The family will receive friends at Kendall Funeral Home, 605 Snidow St., Pembroke on Thursday, April 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. Masonic Services will be performed by Castle Rock Masonic Lodge 334 at 8 pm. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com