Ronald Effler, age 79, 105 Meadowbrook Drive, Erwin, went home to be with the Lord at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, January 17, 2013, at Unicoi County Memorial Hospital.

He was a lifelong resident of Unicoi County. Mr. Effler was a son of the late George Washington and Emma Ann Morrow Effler.

He was a welder and millwright for several different construction companies in the area. Mr. Effler was a proud veteran of the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict and was a disabled American Veteran. He was a member and Trustee of Big Branch Church.

Mr. Effler was a loving and devoted husband, daddy and papaw.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, his twin brother, Donald Effler and Charles Effler; one sister, Pauline Effler.

Mr. Effler is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Lucille Tipton Effler; two sons, Philip Effler and Jerry Effler; three daughters, Rhonda White and husband, Robby, Unicoi County, Lisa Davis and husband, Glenn, Greene County, Robin Effler and fiance, Tommy Phillips, Unicoi County; five grandchildren, Chase White, Amellia Bowman and husband, John, Michelle Effler, Jordan Effler and Savanah Davis; two great-grandchildren, Ciara White and Tanner White; one brother, Graham Effler and wife, Vada, Unicoi County; two sisters, Willa Dean Hughes and husband, John, and Nadine Moore, all of Asheville, North Carolina. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral service for Mr. Effler will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 21, 2013, from the Robert Ledford Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend David Crutchfield and Reverend Bill Ponder will officiate.

Active pallbearers will be family members.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the family home.

The committal service will be at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22, 2013, in Effler Cemetery at Big Branch Church. The Tennessee Honor Guard consisting of Boone Dam VFW Post #4933 and the Tennessee Army National Guard will provide military honors. Those attending the committal service are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:45 p.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to help defray funeral expenses.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Effler family through our complimentary, interactive Book of Memories at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com.

Robert Ledford Funeral Home and Chapel, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Effler family. (423) 743-1380