Obituary of John Thomas Edelen

ORANGE John Thomas Edelen Sr. CHAPEL HILL — John Thomas Edelen Sr., age 93, of Chapel Hill, N.C., passed away peacefully on December 18, 2013. He was born to the late Hanora and Leo Edelen, December 8, 1920. Tom graduated from the University of Louisville, Ky., with a BA in Engineering. He was a World War II Navy veteran, who served in the South Pacific. He was married to the late Auda Elaine Wolf in 1944 and they lived in Durham, N.C., until her death in 1995. Tom was an engineer with Dravo Corporation until he retired in the late 1970s. He was passionate about his country and an avid volunteer for the Republican party. He was a founding member of the Durham chapter of SCORE, a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. He was an Honorable Elder of Kiwanis and a volunteer at the Eno River Assocation; instrumental in the re-building of the Mill at West Point on the Eno. Tom was an active member of St.Thomas More Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved to tell stories, especially if he could make you laugh; he knew no strangers. Mr. Edelen is survied by his four children: Dr. Ann Churchil Banes; Mr. John Thomas Edelen, Jr.; Ms. Sherrill Edelen and Ms. Jean Edelen. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to Disabled Veterans of America and Catholic charities through St. Thomas More church. Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill, N.C., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2013. Internment to follow at St. Thomas More columbarium. Online condolences may be sent to www.walkersfuneralsewrvice.com