Lawrence Edward Gilstrap

August 9, 1932 - September 27, 2019

Lawrence Edward Gilstrap August 9, 1932 – September 27, 2019 Lawrence Edward Gilstrap, 87, of Heltonville passed away Friday, September 27, 2019 at his residence. Born August 9, 1932 he was the son of Stanley Raymond and Dorothy (Axsom) Gilstrap. He married Virginia Gayle Brown on April 6, 1951 and she survives. He was a maintenance supervisor at Brunner’s Engineering, retiring in 1994. He also worked at WF Meyers. Edward loved airplanes, mowing grass and mushroom hunting. He attended Tunnelton High School and Englewood Baptist Church. Edward was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served in Korea. He also earned a Certificate of Journeyman Planer. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Gayle Gilstrap of Heltonville; one son, Edward Eugene “Gene” (Dalene) Gilstrap of Bedford; three daughters, Lee Anne (Perry Thomas) East, Susan (Patrick) Nead of Bloomington, Dorothy “Dot” Stout of Bedford; six grandsons, Tommy (Darlene) East, Stephen (Holly) East, Nathan (Ashley) Qualkenbush, Neal (Jessie) Qualkenbush, Isiah Killion, Elijah Killion; five granddaughters, Lisa (Brad) Current, Tia (Shanon) Hiles, Erin (Darren) Speer, Caitlin (Nathen) Bryant, Erica Stout-Carlson; 25 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Juanita Thomas, Betty Jo Brown, Bonnie Clifton, Owetta Flinn; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ray Gilstrap and Robert D. Gilstrap; sisters, Nellie Allen, Virginia Durr, Helen Sovern, and Jean Horner. Funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes with Pastor Perry Thomas East and Pastor Stephen Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 4 -8 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fergusonlee.com