Garnie L. Brendel

Garnie L. Brendel passed from this life into eternity Thursday, October 22, 2009 surrounded by his family. He was born in Lincoln County, NC on November 13, 1921 to the late Arthur Winfred Brendel and Elvie Childers Brendel. Mr. Brendel was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII. He graduated from High Point College and earned an advanced degree from Appalachian State University. He was a lifelong educator. His teaching career began in McDowell County at Pleasant Garden. He was also a teacher and principal in Burke County Schools and ended his education career as media coordinator for Burke County. Mr. Brendel was a long time member of Zion Memorial United Methodist Church.Garnie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elene Anthony Brendel; sons, Leonard Brendel and wife, Charlotte, Philip Brendel, and Tommy Brendel and wife, Audrey; a daughter, Debbie Hefner and husband, Jerry; grandchildren, Nathan Hefner, Heather Carpenter, Jody Carpenter, Stephanie Hatley, Brian Hatley, and Tony Brendel; a great-grandson, Corey Hefner; and a sister-in-law, Josephine Brendle.In addition to his parents, Garnie was preceded in death by a brother, Winfred Brendle; sisters, Maggie Burns, Julia Reece, Effie Baird; and Katherine Stroupe Kidd; and a grandson, Andy Brendel.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2009 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Reverends George Williams, Don Smith, and Larry Fletcher officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to Zion Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 3061, Drexel, NC 28619.