Earl E. Tope

Earl Eugene Tope, 88, loving father and prominent businessman of Gallipolis, Ohio died peacefully at Holzer Medical Center of Saturday, May 28, 2011. Earl was born on April 6, 1923, and was the son of the late Albert E. and Eliza Tope. He was a 1941 graduate of Gallia Academy High School and attended Ohio State University. Earl was a member of the First Baptist Church in Gallipolis, where he taught Sunday school for over 60 years and served as a deacon for 50 years. Earl joined the Army/Air Force and served as a pilot during World War II. He returned to Gallipolis, Ohio in 1945 to work for his brother-in-law Tommy Thomas at Thomas Clothiers. Tope Furniture Galleries and Lifestyle Furniture owned by Tope Furniture, Inc. was founded by Earl in 1952. He was well known locally as an artist specializing in water colors, winning both amateur and professional awards. Earl was an avid golfer and enjoyed singing in the Barbershop Quartet. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 63 years Rosethel Thomas Tope; a grandson Christopher Scot Tope; a brother, Edward, two sisters Edith Cook and Evelyn Evans. He is survived by three sons and three daughters; Thomas Earl (Mary) Tope, Jan (Dr. Fred) Williams, David Alan Tope, all of Gallipolis, Peggy Ellen (Mick) Davenport of Pomeroy, Elizabeth Ann (Dr. Greg) Tobin of Cape Girardeau, MO, and Timothy Scot (Teri) Tope of Worthington, Ohio, 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Pallbearers are Craig McCormick, Justin Linhart, Joe Supple, Jason Shinn, Chase Tobin, Bryce Tobin, and Nathan Bowman. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Edelblute, Wendell Thomas, Cliff Wilson, Cliff Thornton and Dr. Richard Simpson. Services will be Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Gallipolis, Ohio with Pastor Alvis Pollard officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 5-8 pm. Arrangements are being made by Willis Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Ohio Valley Christian School at First Baptist Church 1100 Fourth Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio or Holzer Hospice, 100 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis, Ohio 45631. Please visit www.willisfuneralhome.com to send email condolences. Ohio Valley Christian School or Holzer Hospice Cemetery: Mound Hill Gallipolis, Ohio Visitation: First Baptist Church Service: First Baptist Church 1100 Fourth Avenue Gallipolis, OH