Earl Grant Heltzel

Earl was born at home in Columbia Furnace, VA to Perry Lee and Grace Vietta (Heishman) Heltzel. After graduating from Edinburg High School, he farmed with his father (always had his own horse). His brother Roy returned from the Navy and proposed they get merchant seamen’s papers.

They went to Sun Oil Company in Marcus Hook, PA and learned brothers couldn’t serve on the same ship. They tossed a coin for who would apply for the next available job with Sun Oil. Earl won. Looking out the porthole his 1st night, he saw Roy coming aboard. They were a man short; the brothers went to sea together.

In 1950, Earl was drafted off the ship into the Korean War. He was awarded the UN Service Medal, a Distinguished Unit Citation, the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the Bronze Star Medal with V Device for combat gallantry, the Silver Star, and Purple Heart. In 1952 he was Honorably Discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant – and returned to Sun Oil.

While visiting Roy in Culpeper, he met Ellen Hossley and married in June 1961. He continued with Sun Oil and they moved to Claymont, DE. Soon a job opened at the Culpeper Farmers Coop and they settled and raised a family in Culpeper.

He learned to weld from millwrights who came from NC. After 30 years at the Coop, Earl retired and went to work for Battlepark Farm, welding.

Earl was a member of St Luke Lutheran in the Shenandoah Valley. In 1962, he was baptized and joined the Culpeper Baptist Church and the Willie Parr Lewis Sunday School Class. He served on the Premises and Hospitality Committees and helped with Wednesday suppers. As a deacon, Earl enjoyed visiting each family he was assigned.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roy Heltzel, and sisters Renetta Helsley, Bessie Sherman, and Esther Polk.

Earl is survived by Ellen Heltzel - his wife of over 60 years, children Jamie (Jim) Pittman, Kristi (Gary) Woods, Dennis (Jean) Heltzel, and grandchildren Lindsay (Kyle) Whalen, Lauren Woods, Carly Heltzel, Lee Woods, and Wesley Heltzel, and great-grandson Lewis Grant Whalen, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation and viewing are Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 1pm at Culpeper Baptist Church, Culpeper, VA. Funeral services follow at 2pm with Pastor Dan Carlton officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery.

The family appreciates the care Earl received from The Culpeper staff on the Terrace Level. He valued Dining Hall workers, CNAs, nurses, therapists and many others who daily befriended him.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Culpeper Baptist Church,

318 S. West Street, Culpeper, VA 22701.