Jim Brendle

Jim Brendle, 89, of Drexel died Tuesday, June 3, 2014. Jim was born January 15, 1925 in Burke County to the late Ernest Brendle and Mary Clarke Brendle. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and the owner of Jim's Paint & Body Shop in Drexel. Jim was a veteran of the Army Air Corps serving in WW II, 1987 Drexel Citizen of The Year, charter member of Drexel Lions Club and Optimist Club. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of Lovelady Lodge # 670 in Valdese and the Burke Shrine Club.

Jim is survived by his wife, of 68 years, Betty Franklin Brendle; children, Jimmy Brendle and wife, Sidney of Charlotte, Kevin Brendle and wife, Connie of Drexel, Warren Brendle and wife, Sarah of Holly Springs, Annette King and husband, Jim of Salisbury and Darren Brendle of Drexel; grandchildren, Harrison Brendle, Meriwether Brendle, Jennifer King, Haley King, Cameron Brendle, Lauren Brendle, Casey Brendle and Kennedy Brendle; brothers, Wayne Brendle and wife, Fran of Charlotte and Harold Brendle and wife, Jo of Clinton, TN; brother-in-law, J.D. Franklin of Oak Ridge, TN and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, June 6, 2014 at Christ United Methodist Church with the Reverends Aaron Moss, Jim King and Amy Freeze officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with military honors by the N.C. National Guard and Masonic rites by Lovelady Masonic Lodge #670. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 2314 Starnes St., Morganton, NC 28655 or to The Shiners' Children Hospital, 950 W. Faris St., Greenville, SC 29605.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.