John Caldwell

Bluefield, WV- John Elward Caldwell, 84, of 1308 Lowe Street, Bluefield, WV, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday August 17, 2010 at his home. Born February 4, 1926 in Bluefield, WV, he was the son of the late Endle Blake Caldwell and Mabel Pauline Eldridge Caldwell. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served two years during World War II. Mr. Caldwell was retired from the United States Postal Service as a Rural Carrier after 32 years of service. He was also a driver for Eagle Lines and had been a Van Driver and Customer Attendant at Blaydes Clinic. He was a founder and charter member of East End Baptist Church where he served as Deacon for many years and served in many other offices through the years. He was active in Woodmen of the World, was a member of Gideons and was active in the local Civil Air Patrol and had served as Cadet Commander for many years. Mr. Caldwell was a former Boy Scout leader, having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout when he was a Boy Scout. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Velma Lee Brooks Caldwell, of the home; three sons, Duane Caldwell and his wife Margaret of Bluefield, WV, Darrell Caldwell and his wife Nancy of Bluefield, and Danny Caldwell of Washington, PA; four granddaughters, Monica Caldwell, Paige Caldwell and Melanie Caldwell, all of Bluefield, and LeAnn Slade and her husband Grat of Roanoke, VA; one great-granddaughter, Addison Piper Slade; one sister, Mildred Mae Grinstead of Durham, NC; two sisters-in-law, Myrtle Brooks and Sue Brooks, both of Bluefield; three nieces and two nephews. The family will receive friends at Mercer Funeral Home on Friday August 20, 2010 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Danny Gunnoe officiating. A graveside service will be conducted on Saturday August 21, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Monte Vista Park Cemetery where Deacons, Jim Harvey, Kevin Compton, Bill Constantino and Chad Lambert; nephews, Chuck Brooks, Donnie Brooks, Kristian Karns and Scotty Strickland will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Deacons, Don Compton, Don Gibson, Fred Smothers, Charlie Venable and Richard Wirt. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Mercer Funeral Home on Saturday morning by 10:45 a.m. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the Mercer County Veteran's Council and the West Virginia Honor Guard. The family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to The Gideons International, Bluefield West Virginia Camp, P.O. Box 1122, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. John Elward Caldwell.

John Caldwell

February 4, 1926 - August 17, 2010