Mr. Samuel Zirkle

October 4, 1934 - June 7, 2012

East Stone Gap, VA Samuel "Sam" Melvin Zirkle, Sr., 77, went to be with the Lord on Thursday (June 7, 2012) at Lonesome Pine Hospital. On Wednesday evening, Samuel was surrounded by his wife, his pastor and a host of family and friends. Early Thursday morning, he passed away peacefully with his wife of almost 58 years by his side. Sam and Sylvia lived in East Stone Gap where they raised a loving and beautiful family. This was their greatest accomplishment. Sam's family was his pride and joy and continues to be so for Sylvia today. Sam was preceded in death by two infant children, Stanley McNeil Zirkle and Steven Gilmer Zirkle; his mother and father, Bonnie (Burton) and George Zirkle; and granddaughter, Chastity Givens Taylor. He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia Fletcher Zirkle; his children, daughter, Sheila and Hassan Adldoost, son, Sammy, Jr. and Debbie Zirkle, daughter, Sonia Sutphin Vandergriff and Jesse Vandergriff, daughter, Sherry and Stanley Trinkle and son, Stan and Susan Zirkle; his brother, Earl and Lannis Zirkle; sisters, Janice and Jim Willis and Brenda Givens; his grandchildren, Todd and Nikki Zirkle, Brook and Tommy Justus, Cody Zirkle, Crystal and Rodney Evans, Misty and Sam Jackson, Brett and Melissa Trinkle, and Brandon and Whitney Trinkle; his great grandchildren, Sam and Diana Givens, Braxton , Haley and Camden Zirkle, Brady Thomas Justus, Juliana, Desha, Elija and Quinn Evans, Brooklyn White, Sammy and Houston Jackson, Tatum Trinkle and Haley Williams. In addition, he is survived by a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Holding Funeral Home (17 E. 3rd St., N.) in Big Stone Gap, VA. The funeral service will be conducted at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the funeral home chapel with Pastor James Ray Holcomb officiating. Committal services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Powell Valley Memorial Gardens. The family and friends will meet at the funeral home by 10:30 a.m. on Sunday to go in procession. Pallbearers will be: Todd and Cody Zirkle, Brett and Brandon Trinkle, Tommy Justus and Rodney Evans. Honorary pallbearers will be: Stanley Trinkle and Jesse Vandergriff. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 207 N. Boone Street, Suite 1500, Johnson City, TN 37604. To view the obituary and sign the guest registry, please visit www.holdingfuneralhome.com. Holding Funeral Home is honored to serve the Zirkle family.