David Martin Astle Jr.

David M. Astle, Jr., 88, of Beckley, West Virginia, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Bowers Hospice House.

Born September 25, 1931, he was the son of the late David M. Astle, Sr. and Minnie Mensing Astle of Bridgeton, NJ.   As a youth, he attended Friendship Finley Methodist Church in Bridgeton.  A graduate of Bridgeton High School, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1949.   He later attended the University of Georgia.  As a Senior Citizen, he proudly attended classes at Mountain State University, Beckley, WV, and received an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts.

Mr. Astle had an interesting and world-wide career as a Flight Engineer on C-130 aircraft.  He was employed by Southern Air Transport, Eastern Airlines, the Lockheed Company, and the CIA before retiring.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Riffe Astle; a son, David M. Astle III and his wife Sarah; a daughter, Kelly Marie Astle Carlson, as well as the following grandchildren:  Joseph Michael Gilliland, Cathleen Teresa Politino, Clara Maureen Politino, Katie Marie Carlson, Melissa Christine Weiberdink and Alexandra Marie Kamens. 

He is also survived by one brother, Charles F. (Sheryl) Astle of Alabama, and one sister, Jeanette A. Astle Gelin, of Texas.  Additional survivors include Ruth’s children, Steve (Raamy) Winfrey of FL and Karen Sue (Leo) Martin of SC, and many brothers- and sisters-in-law locally.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Katie Elizabeth Mock Astle, in 1989, and his daughter, Kathy Jo Astle Gilliland in 2004.

Mr. Astle had been a resident of Georgia for many years, but upon their retirement, he and Ruth made their home in West Virginia.  They had many good friends and neighbors in beautiful southern West Virginia, and were most at home with their church family at Trinity Presbyterian Church at Shady Spring.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday October 22, 2019 at the Melton Mortuary Chapel in Beckley. Friends may call from 10 A.M. until time of service on Tuesday. Burial will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens.  Serving as Pallbearers: David Astle III, Butch Riffe, Don Riffe, Robert Riffe, John Riffe, and Mike Thacker.

While floral arrangements are welcome, the family suggests that tributes in Dave’s memory be made to Bowers Hospice House, P.O. Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802.

The family wishes to thank the management and employees of Bowers Hospice House for making Dave’s home-going a beautiful experience by the comfort they were able to afford in his last days and hours.

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