Obituary of Gale Deatherage

MARION, VIRGINIA: GALE DEATHERAGE, age 96, died Monday, July 18, 2011 at the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Roanoke, Virginia. Gale was born in Grayson County, Virginia, May 5, 1915. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, drove a truck "Blue Angel" for a living and ran his own sand business. After retirement at the age of 70, he drove a van for District Three. He enjoyed all the trips he took with his friends. Gale attended Marion Baptist Church and worked with his wife, Helen, with a group of young adults of special needs. Everyone who met Gale loved him in their own special way. He will be greatly missed by us all. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Charlie and Minnie Deatherage and second wife, Hattie Hawks Deatherage of Marion, Virginia. Gale is survived by his wife of 14 years, Helen Haga Deatherage; a 99 year old brother, Virgil Anderson, both of Marion, Virginia; a daughter, Lucille Ann Blevins and husband, Dean of Florida; son, John Deatherage and wife, Janice of Roanoke, Virginia; two stepdaughters, Sue Routh of Sausalito, California and Carolyn Church of Abingdon, Virginia; grandchildren, Gayle McWhorter, Sabrina Briggs both of Florida, Wendy Burzanko and John Christopher Deatherage, both of Roanoke, Virginia; eight great-grandchildren, who he loved very much. Multiple nieces and nephews and friend and caregiver, Leigh Hess also survive. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 22, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Dr. Mark Ross and Reverend Bobby Blevins officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by Francis Marion VFW Post #4667. The family will receive friends, Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Marion Baptist Church, 1258 North Main Street, Marion VA 24354. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Deatherage Family.