Joseph V. Fairchilds Sr.

Joseph Vern Fairchilds Sr., 80, of Bridgewater, died Aug. 24, 2004, at the University of Virginia Hospital. His death was due to an accident at his home.

He was born Sept. 8, 1923, and was the son of the late Ora V. and Lula M. Fairchilds.

Mr. Fairchilds served in the Navy during World War II and was a longtime resident of Richmond, Va. He was the service manager of Bemiss Equipment Company for 40 years. He loved children, was an avid sports fan, a collector of lawnmowers and was a patient, kind and gentle man. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, serving as a deacon at Drewry’s Bluff in Richmond and as an active member at Bridgewater. As a volunteer, he worked locally with Habitat for Humanity and the Bridgewater Inter-Church Food Pantry.

His wife, Betty Fairchilds, preceded him in death in 2001. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Vern and Cheryl Fairchilds of Bridgewater, his son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Karen Fairchilds of Stuarts Draft; his daughter and son-in-law, Betty Karol and Charles Wilson of New Market; five grandchildren, Page and wife, Holly, Cameron, Sean and Derek Fairchilds and Hannah Young and husband, Todd, and two great-grandchildren, Isaac and Gabriel Fairchilds.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Aug. 27, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Mossy Creek Presbyterian Church in Mount Solon.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson Funeral Service in Bridgewater.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Program for the Aging Services, "Meals on Wheels," 2 South Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801