ERVIN GILFORD DEEL, 78 years of age of the Sunset Hollow section of Vansant, Virginia formerly of Grundy, Virginia, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2009 at the Clinch Valley Medical Center, Richlands, Virginia following an extended illness.  Born in Buchanan County on November 4, 1930, he was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and the son of the late Leck and Tracy Deel.  He was a former employee of the Buchanan County School System having served as Custodian at the Grundy Junior High School for 36 years.  He was a member of the Pilgrims Home Old Regular Baptist Church and was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Thacker Deel on June 14, 2008

He is survived by four daughters: Brenda and husband Paul Kinder, Belfast, VA, Shelia and husband Roy Clanton, Grundy, VA, Jenny Ramey, Elizabethton, TN, Sandy and husband Tim Riffe, Grundy, VA, One Son: Larry Lee and his wife Jackie Deel, Davenport, VA, One Sister: Lilly Mae Breeding, Richlands, VA, One Brother: Virgil and his wife Melvinie Deel, Richlands, VA, 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife – Mary Thacker Deel, one sister America Mitchell; three brothers – Troy Deel, Marcus Deel and Earl Deel.

 Funeral services for ERVIN GILFORD DEEL, will be conducted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at the Pilgrims Home Old Regular Baptist Church on Sunset Hollow, near Prater, Virginia with Elders Arnold Bailey, Michael Hagerman, Dwayne Belcher and Willard Hicks    officiating with burial to follow in the O’Quinn & Deel Cemetery on the Left Fork of Greenbriar Creek.

Friends may call at the Grundy Funeral Home after 5:00 P.M. Monday and there will be an evening service at 7:00 P.M.

Active Pallbearers will be Roy Clanton, Tim Riffe, Brad Hurley, Shawn Doughty, Chad Garrick, Wayne Deel, Chris Skeens, Robbie Davis, Richie Waddell, Paul Kinder and Matt Owens.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. M. J. Thakkar and Dr. Oduntan

The family would like to give a special thanks to the Staff and Physical Therapy Department of Maple Grove Rehabilitation Center and the Staff of the ICU Department of the Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Virginia.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grundyfuneralhome.com

Grundy Funeral Home of Grundy, Virginia is in charge of all arrangements.