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David W. Ethridge, Jr., 61, passed away on April 12, 2011 from complications of A.L.S. Born September 23, 1949 in Meridian, MS, he was the son of David W. Ethridge, Sr. of Villa Park, IL and the late Mary Alice Ethridge. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Ethridge was a retired truck driver for the Kenan Advantage Group. He was a member and former elder at Hope Lutheran Church, Virginia Beach. He enjoyed spending time with his family, woodworking, and quilting.
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Barbara Ethridge; three daughters, Mary Margaret Fessenden of Norfolk, Christine Ethridge of Virginia Beach, and DeAnna Bahret and her husband, Brian of Andover, KS; three sons, David S. Ethridge of Norfolk, Luke Steven Ethridge and his wife, Amy of Virginia Beach, and James Alan Ethridge and his wife, Tricia of Chesapeake; nine grandchildren, Joseph and Katherine Bahret, Dominik, Kalab, Luke Alexander, Riley, Savannah, Elijah, and Taylor Ethridge; four sisters, Alice Nowack and her husband, George of Kentucky, Lenda Reiter and her husband, Denny of Maple Park, IL, Mary Ann Gingerich and her husband, Jeff of South Elgin, IL, and Vera Gleason and her husband, Don of St. Charles, IL; and many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. at Family Choice Funerals & Cremations, 5401 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 11 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 5350 Providence Road, Virginia Beach with Rev. Mark Nieting officiating. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday at 3 p.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans’ Cemetery, 5310 Milners Road, Suffolk. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the ALS Association at www.alsinfo.org or Hope Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank the A.L.S. Association and the staff at Sentara Leigh Hospital for their care and concern during Dave’s illness.
Online condolences may be made via the online guestbook.
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Dear Barb and family,
Mom, Evelyn, Bob, and I are so sorry for your loss. Dave was such a bright spot in all of our lives, and we will miss him, too.
We are not able to make the trip to VA, but please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love to All,
Aunt Virginia, Evelyn, Bob, and Wilma
We are so sorry to hear that Dad has passed. We thought of him as our father and friend as well. We will truely miss him. You all our in our thoughts and prayers. WE love you all!
We love u Uncle Dave! We will miss u dearly and will think about u everyday!
I’ve always admired Mr. Ethridge for his sense of humor and his fun loving spirit. He will be greatly missed.
I am so sorry for this loss. I was just thinking about him yesterday when I drove by the trucking company. I had already missed him as a neighbor and now the loss is intensified. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Fran
Dear Ethridge Family,
We are so very sorry for the loss of this great man in your lives. We know Dee and Brian from Guam and they always spoke so lovingly about the family back in Virginia Beach. May God provide you with the strength you need to get through this time and also wrap you in His loving arms to comfort you and know that David will get to celebrate Christ’s resurrection in a way we can’t even fathom. With sympathy, The McGrath Family
Barb and family,
We here in Mississippi were so saddened to hear about the loss of your dear husband, father & grandfather Dave. I know we’ve been out of touch, but since I heard about his illness, he’s been in our thought and prayers. May the Lord give you the strength and comfort that you need. God Bless!
Love Sandy Harrell (Rutledge)and family
The two things that remind me of Mr. Ethridge is how much he loved his family and how he could always make you laugh. Our deepest condolences to Mrs. Ethridge and the rest of the family. We love you all. God bless.
– Noel, Kelli, and Vincent
Barb and family, I can’t put into words how much I loved Dave. We’ve been best friend since 7th grade. I do know how much he loved you and his children. David and I were brothers the day we met and because we both were surrounded by sisters. Whenever we got together, we just picked up from where we last left off.
Friendship is a blessing from God and I thank him everyday for giving me David.
Dee,Brian and family…my prayers are with you all. I hope that all the fantastic memories will bring you peace and comfort and knowing he is patiently waiting for us all. I can’t wait to meet him! I love you all and am keeping you in my prayers…
We will truely miss Dave. He has been there for his family and friends, especially our daughter, Tricia and grandkids. He is in our prayers and thoughts and never forgotten.
Our most sincere condolences.
No words can express how much we will miss that great smile! Thanks Uncle Dave for always being so wonderful and such an example to everyone! We mourn your loss but celebrate the fact that you are no longer imprisoned by that awful disease! We love you! I wish we could be at the service on Friday!!!!!
~Joe, Amy, Zach, Whitney and Kailey
We will miss you Uncle Dave! Love you.
I was fortunate to meet and spend time with your Dad. He was a wonderful man. Thanks for sharing him with us. God’s peace to you all!
we’re very saddened to hear the news of Daves passing…God bless you all
I love you and miss your smile,laugh,sarcasm . I’m glad you had your Portillos one last time. See you again one day.
Love Vickie and Jaida
Barb and Family, It was great seeing you and Dave at the restaurant two weeks ago – God Bless your family.
We are so sorry to hear the sad news. We will miss seeing him on the soccer field cheering on Kalab. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Ann, Gary, Thomas & Alex