Lewis Wilson Christoffel, Sr.

Asheville – Lewis Wilson Christoffel, Sr., 87, of Asheville, died Sunday, February 11, 2007 in a local hospital. A native of Raymondville, TX, he was a son of the late E.A. and Georgia Christoffel. He was also preceded in death by one brother, Bill Christoffel and one sister-in-law, Delena Christoffel. Mr. Christoffel grew up in south Texas and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in civil engineering in 1942. Immediately following his graduation, he was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in Elizabethton, TN. In 1943, he volunteered in the US Navy and received his Officers’ Training and Commission at the US Naval Academy. He served with the 143rd Naval Construction Battalion in the Philippines in WWII. Following his discharge, he returned to work with the TVA. From 1950 until his retirement in 1982, Mr. Christoffel worked with the Engineering Department of American Enka Corporation, both in Lowland, TN and Enka, NC. He was of the Methodist faith and was a member of Skyland United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Darriel Merritt Christoffel; one daughter, Sandra Edgerton and her husband, Barry of Winston-Salem, NC; one son, Lewis Wilson Christoffel, Jr. of Arden; three granddaughters, Charlene Edgerton of Winston-Salem, NC, Savannah Christoffel of Arden and Indiana Christoffel of Arden and two sisters-in-law, Earline Merritt Taylor of Pensacola, FL and Phyllis Merritt of Valparaiso, FL. Graveside services will be at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, February 13, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with Rev. Dr. James White officiating. The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Tuesday, prior to the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.