Ernest Dean Beheler

LEXINGTON – Ernest Dean Beheler, 78, has moved from his home of 44 years in Lexington, SC to relocate to his home for eternity. He’ll join his brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as his wife of 54 years, Carolyn Black Beheler.

Ernie was born on April 15, 1933, in Gastonia, NC to the late Thomas F. and Ila H. Beheler. He is survived by children, Rebecca Shealy, Bret Beheler (Sharon) and Belinda Gillespie (Max); grandchildren, Rod Shealy, Jr., Ross Shealy (Carla), Mason Gillespie, Nick Beheler and Walker Gillespie; great-grandchildren, Nina Shealy, Redding Shealy and numerous nieces and nephews. He was known to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “PawPaw”. He is predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Black Beheler; daughter, Patricia Kay Beheler; brothers, Bill, Al, and Howard and sisters, Betty Baucom and Helen Beheler.

Ernie played minor league baseball, served in the U. S. Army, worked at the Savannah River Plant and retired from Carolina Eastman. He loved God, family, country, country music, Blacks BBQ (Gastonia, NC), fishing and Carolina Gamecock sports. A devoted family man, PawPaw continued to care for Carolyn for years after the onset of her Alzheimer’s and visited her daily during her care at Agape during the last two years of her life.

Visitation will be held at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2011. A private funeral service will be held for the family.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 107 Westpark Blvd. #150, Columbia, SC 9210-3871 (1-803-731-4060).

The family would like to thank friends and family for their prayers and support, as well as the 8th floor Oncology Staff at Lexington County Hospital and Compassion Care Hospice.