Earl W Spiegel

Mr. Earl Walter Spiegel, age 87 of Hiawassee, GA passed away on Sunday, December 07, 2008 at his home. He was born to the late Walter and Elizabeth (Hoistion) Spiegel on November 04, 1921 in Monroe County, NY. He married Dorothea Shaw in 1942. He was a member of Hiawassee United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Dorothea Spiegel, of Hiawassee, GA; daughters, Linda Smith, of Hayesville, NC; Connie Gilbert, of Gainsboro, TN; granddaughters, Alethea Dunajewski and Maria Fitzgerald, five great grandchildren, one aunt, several cousins and a number of nieces and nephews also survive. He worked at Eastman Kodak Co. for many years, before and after his time in the US Navy in World War II. He moved to Ft. Pierce, FL in 1960, where he bought an appliance repair shop and later worked for the FL Dept. of Transportation in charge of bridges and everything electrical in four counties. He then worked for the Port St. Lucie Country Club. Because of his interest in gemstones, which was acquired when he helped his daughter Connie earn her mineral badge, he started the Treasure Coast and the St. Lucie County Rock and Gem Clubs. He was chairman of three Gem and Mineral shows at the Armory in Ft. Pierce. He taught faceting and jewelry repair at Indian River Community College. The family moved to Hiawassee in 1988, where he built a complete lapidary shop in his home and taught at William H. Holland Lapidary School in Young Harris, GA for several years. He is a member of the Tri-State Gem and Mineral Club. He was also awarded the prestigious title of Supreme Master Gem Cutter. A memorial service in scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 2:00PM from Hiawassee United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Blair officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hiawassee United Methodist Church Mortgage Reduction Fund at 1139 US Hwy. 76, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Banister Funeral Home of Hiawassee in charge of arrangements.