Tickle, Edward Lee

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Edward Lee Tickle, 84, of Belspring, Va., died peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Ed was born November 24, 1924, in Bland County, Va., to Annie Lambert and Isaac Tickle Sr.

Ed was a World War II veteran and served with the 3rd Infantry Division. He participated in the North African and Italian Campaigns, including the invasion of Sicily and the battle of the Anzio beachhead. He was wounded in battle and awarded the Purple Heart.

Ed returned home after the war and married Ruby Nelson on March 28, 1948. They had two sons and made their home in Belspring. He retired from the Radford Army Ammunition plant after 37 years.

Ed is survived by his sons, Ronald Tickle and wife, Jeanne, and Bob Tickle and significant other, Carolyn Rector; grandsons, Chris Tickle and Jeff Tickle; brother, Alfred Tickle and wife, Beulah; sisters, Jane Abate, Dorothy Williams and husband, Wiley, and Sue Rutledge and husband, Carl; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife; his parents; his brother, Isaac Jr.; and sisters, Evelyn and Cynthia.

Ed held office with both the Society of the Third Infantry Division, Outpost 3, Lattie Tipton, and with the Anzio Beachhead Veterans of 1944. He was proud to shake the hand of President George W. Bush at a reception in Italy during the 1994 Anzio Beachhead Veterans 60th Anniversary Battlefield Tour. He was also honored to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Memorial Day in 2008.

Ed was an outdoors man who loved to hunt and garden and he was an avid Hokie football fan. He also enjoyed traveling with family and friends. A kind and generous man, Edward was someone who could always be counted on in time of need. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

The immediate family extends heartfelt appreciation for love and support from family, friends and neighbors during this time.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009, at DeVilbiss Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2009, at DeVilbiss Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jeff Dudley officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memory Gardens. Arrangements by DeVilbiss Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at go2bob @ yahoo.com.