Essel Kilgore

GRUETLI-LAAGER — Essel Kilgore, 87, passed away Thursday Oct. 19, 2017, at the STRHS-Winchester Hospital. He was born in Palmer, Tenn. on Jan. 21, 1930, to Rufus and Essie Slatton Kilgore who preceded him in death along with his son, Mike Ross; brothers, Clyde and Rufus Jr. Kilgore; grandson, Michael Alan Ross; granddaughter, Mia Stockwell. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was retired from TVA. He is survived by his wife, Essie Ross Kilgore; sons, Gary (Karen) Ross and Bobby Kilgore; daughters, Karen Cox, Kathy (Roger) Eldridge and Debbie Bouldin; grandchildren, Judd Ross, Michael and Kristen Kilgore, Meghan (B) Gallanger, Bridget (Joe) Coppinger, Brittany (Matt) Caracciol, Tina Bosio; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home chapel with Minister Bill Ross officiating with burial to follow in the Fall Creek Cemetery. Military honors provided by the Sequatchie Valley Honor Guard. Visitation: 3 to 9 p.m. today at Layne Funeral Home, Palmer, Tenn. www.laynefuneralhome.com