Carl Aaron "Pappaw" Embler Sr.

Carl Pappaw Embler, 89, of Asheville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at his home surrounded by those who loved him most. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Carl served 6 years in the United States Navy during WWII, and retired from WINN-DIXIE Grocery Stores after 35 years. Carl was a very loving father, and grandfather who always enjoyed spending time with friends and family; summers at the lake, years of little league baseball, walking hand in hand with the one who loved him most, his wife Freda. Carl was the son of the late Conley C. and Lena Hense Embler. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Paul Embler, and sister, Gertrude Walley Hosking. Surviving are Carls love of his life of 64 years, Freda Vaughn Embler; daughter: Debra McElrath and her husband Max; and their children: Shannon Messer and husband Harold, Leah McElrath and fiance Paul, Jeremy, Shane and Kyle; son: Carl A. Embler, Jr. and his wife Sharon; and their children: Keith Snow and wife Blair, Kelli Queen and husband Brandon and Carl Aaron Embler, III; son: Michael Lee Embler and his wife Monica; and their children: Nolan Embler and fiance Krystal, Alexandria, and Tyler Paul and fiance Emily; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a very special friend and helper Steven Currie. Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM Wednesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Danny Gasperson and Carl Aaron Embler, III officiating. Burial will follow in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 AM 12:00 PM, prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to Care Partners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to the Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Ste D 320, Asheville, NC 28801.