Name: Melvin Alexander Eitel Date: May 2nd, 1934 - April 17th, 2009 Obituary: Melvin Alexander Eitel, age 74 of Woodset Drive, Forest City, died Friday, April 17, 2009 at Rutherford Hospital. A native of Rutherford County, he was a son of the late Arthur Eitel and Helen Griffin Eitel; retired NC Highway Patrolman; a member of First Baptist Church, Forest City; attended Gardner-Webb College; a US Army veteran having served in the 82nd Airborne; and was a member of Weaverville Trinity Masonic Lodge #27 A.F. & A.M. Survivors include his wife Carolyn Thomas Eitel of the home; a son, Mark Eitel and wife Amy of Taylors, SC; a daughter, Beth Herndon and husband David of Forest City; a sister, Sarah Jackson of Belvedere, SC; and three grandchildren, Tanner Herndon, Brandt Herndon and Laura Eitel. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry Eitel, Earl Eitel, and Jimmy Eitel. Graveside services will be held 2 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2009 in the Cool Springs Cemetery with Rev. J. Anthony Spencer officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Monday at The Padgett & King Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Forest City, 211 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 or to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc., 600 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina 27565. The Padgett & King Mortuary is in charge and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com Memorials: First Baptist Church, Forest City, 211 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 or to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, Inc., 600 College Street, Oxford, North Carolina 27565 Visitations: 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Monday, April 20th, 2009 at The Padgett & King Mortuary (map/driving directions) Services: 2:00PM at Cool Springs Cemetery on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Cool Springs Cemetery Cemetery Street Forest City, NC 28043 (map/driving directions)