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CLAREMONT -- Haywood Gordon Childers, 85, of Claremont, died Saturday, July 4, 2009 at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury. Born on March 1, 1924 in Lincoln County, he was the son of the late Rodney Owens Childers and Sadie Elizabeth Hoyle Childers.

Mr. Childers served in the United States Army during World War II. He received two Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Good Conduct Medal, and numerous other medals. On May 18, 1944, Mr. Childers was reported missing in Italy and he was a Prisoner of War for 12 months in Germany.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Verna Alice Isaac Childers; son, Jimmy Childers; sisters, Lois Childers, Flossie Pearson, Kathleen Wilkinson and Louise Kitchings.

He is survived by his son, Donnie Childers; stepson, Jimmy Caldwell and his wife, Kathy of Claremont; stepdaughter, Libby Wike and her husband, Jimmy of Taylorsville; four step-grandsons, Lanny Caldwell, Robbie Wike, Jamie “Fred” Wike and Geoffrey Wike; one step-granddaughter, Mila Caldwell Mayberry; two great step-grandsons, Gavin Wike and Seth Wike; two great step-granddaughters, Chloe Wike, Meredith Wike, and Laney Mayberry; sister, Betty Jean Sloan of Charlotte; brother, John Lewis Childers of Statesville; brother-in-law, Leroy Pearson of Statesville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Service of Remembrance will be held 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at Bethel Lutheran Church with the Reverend Craig Schultz officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:30-3:45 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, 5759 Bolick Road, Claremont, NC 28610.

The Childers family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.

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