David Edward Eisele

David E. Eisele, 84, a pioneer in providing foster care and other needs for children in Iredell County, died peacefully at his home in Olin on Thursday, February 21, following a lingering illness.

     The husband of Amy Perras Eisele, who survives, David was one of the original founders of the Iredell Children’s Home known for its foster care services in Statesville and Iredell County.  The Eisele House on Bingham Street was dedicated in his honor many years ago.

     Himself one of eleven children, David and Amy early in their marriage began caring for children temporarily without homes while they sought permanent environments for homeless and abandoned children.  David later supported Amy as she worked for and then became the director of Stop Child Abuse Now (or “SCAN”) in Iredell County.

     David’s work history was long and varied.  First, after a brief period at Clemson University in 1954, he worked in manufacturing at the then-thriving Southern Screw Company, but quickly moved to the financial world.  He was hired by the old Merchants and Farmers Bank, which later became North Carolina National Bank, and was picked as its Branch Manager at a location on West Front Street in Statesville.  In the meantime, he had served voluntarily in the Untied States Army for a period of two years.

     David’s career progressed to a position with Valley Wholesale Company, followed by his work in export and foreign commerce at J.C. Steele and Sons in Statesville.

     Born in Huntington, Indiana, on January 31, 1934, David moved with his parents, the late Emmett G. Eisele and Corinne Kindler Eisele, and six siblings to Statesville in 1941.  Four additional siblings were born in Statesville by 1945.  At the time of his death, David lived on Rash Road in Olin with his wife Amy.

     Many will recall David as a volunteer at Iredell Memorial Hospital after his retirement.  He devoted his time to the needs of others for many years after he was confined to a wheelchair by paralysis of both legs.  None of this, however, interfered with his involvement at St. Phillips Catholic Church, where he had had been its longest continuous active member (78 years) upon his death.

     David is survived not only by his wife, Amy, but also by four children:  Melanie Tutterrow (Bryan) of Olin; Meg Lazur (Rich) of Young-Harris, Georgia; Elizabeth Hayes (Gerard) of Wake Forest; and William Eisele (Stacy) of Harmony.  He and Amy are also survived by eleven grandchildren.

     Of David’s original five sisters and five brothers, nine survive.  They include Carolyn E. Brawley of West Palm Beach, Florida; Delores E. Sink of Mooresville; Phyllis E. Smith of Hickory; Mary Frances E. Kimel of Statesville; Douglas G. Eisele (Sally) of Lake Norman; Jerome P. Eisele (Loretta) of Port St. Lucie, Florida; John F. Eisele of Troutman; James P. Eisele of Statesville; and Alan R. Eisele (Bonita) of Statesville.  Many nieces and nephews also survive.

     Funeral Services will be held for David at St. Phillips Catholic Church in Statesville on Saturday, February 23.   There will be a visitation period from 10:30 a.m. to Noon at the church, followed by a funeral mass beginning at Noon.  The Rev. Father Thomas Kessler will officiate.  The mass will be followed by a luncheon at the church hall provided by the women of the church.

     In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials in David’s honor be made to Iredell Children’s Home or to Stop Abuse Now (“SCAN”). Online condolences may be made to the family at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com

     As requested by David, Joe and William Troutman of Troutman Funeral Home are assisting the family in their time of need.

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