Funeral services for Thomas McKinley Eller, 33, of Clarkesville, were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26, at Shirley Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Dennis Ledford, the Rev. Jan Devereaux and Clarkesville Fire Chief Jerry Palmer officiating. Burial followed the service in the church cemetery with full firefighter honors provided by members of Northeast Georgia firefighter honor guards.

Mr. Eller died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at his residence following an extended illness.

Born Dec. 29, 1978, in Habersham County, he was the son of Horace McKinley and Nedra Baisden Eller. He was a member and deacon of Shirley Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Eller was an Eagle Boy Scout and an advisor for the Explorer Firefighter Program. He was a firefighter with Clarkesville Fire Department with more than 18 years of loyal service, earning the rank of lieutenant. Mr. Eller was a self-employed farmer with his family’s poultry farm.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Theodore McKinley “Mack” Eller, Margaret Dorsey Eller, Thomas Jefferson Baisden and Evelyn Larona Mays Baisden.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife, Samantha Emily Teems Eller of Clarkesville; sister and brother-in-law, Vonda K. Eller and Barry Brown of Clarkesville; nephews, Corey Brown and Logan Brown; niece, Lauren Brown; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Those wishing may send condolences at hillsidememorialchapel.com.

Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville.

The Northeast Georgian

November 28, 2012