Gilbert Franklin Eller

Gilbert Franklin Eller was born May 16, 1919 in Rowan County, son of Daisy Trexler Eller and Ben Franklin Eller. His wife, Eunice Hurst Eller of Ruby, South Carolina preceded him in death in 2000. He retired in 1982 from Cannon Mills after forty years of service as operator of an offset printing machine in the Litho Department. Before his illness, he was a long time active member of Lakewood Baptist Church and had served as a deacon, member of the Senior Group, and active in Sunday School. He was also a member of the Cannon Memorial Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite in Charlotte. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in February of 1946 after serving a 4 year term of duty. While in the U.S. Army he obtained the rank of Sgt. and earned the American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign War earning his entitlement by service during World War II overseas. He is survived by one son, retired Coast Guard Officer, Lt. Ron Eller of Kodiak, Alaska with grandson Ronald Benjamin Eller, Captain, U.S. Air Force, Dover Delaware and granddaughters Jennifer and Raffinee Eller of Seattle, Washington; and one daughter, Mrs. Karon Goble of Faith and grandchildren, Kori and Tommy Goble also of Faith. The family will receive friends from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Lady's Funeral Home. Private graveside rites will follow with military honors given by Lt. Mark Williams officiating, and the Cabarrus County Honor Guard. Memorials may be sent to Faith Baptist Church, Prayer Garden, PO Box 84, Faith, NC 28041.