Friend to Everyone

CANTON — Leonard Herschel DeWeese, 86, went to be with the Lord on June 24, 2012 while at John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville.

A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Powell  DeWeese and Nina Buckner DeWeese.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Smathers DeWeese and brothers, R.K. and Chester DeWeese. Mr. DeWeese honorably served in the U. S. Navy during Word War II and also the Korean Conflict. He retired from Champion Papers and was a volunteer with the Canton Fire Department and the Haywood County Rescue Squad. He also was the owner of his own plumbing business in Canton for many years. He was a faithful lifetime member of Calvary Baptist Church where he had served as a former deacon and  always enjoyed helping with church projects — especially plumbing. Herschel always had a smile and a piece of candy for friends and even strangers.

He is survived by his sons, Michael DeWeese and his wife, Shirley and Jeffrey DeWeese and his wife, Cathy, all of Asheville; grandchildren, Amy Deweese, of Thompson's Station, Tennessee, and Keith DeWeese and his wife, Tara, and a special great-grandchild, Kyle, of Holly Springs; he is also survived by his special friend, Dot Mason, of Canton; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 29,  at Calvary Baptist Church. The Revs. Darrell Webb, Tom Kemp and Charlie Sams will be officiating.  The family will be receiving friends at the church following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 23 Phillips St., Canton, NC 28716.

Crawford / Ray Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the DeWeese family and words of comfort may be shared at www.crawfordray.com.

Herschel was a beloved father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather and a friend to many. We are sure if there are any plumbing needs in Heaven, Herschel will be first in line to help.