John Wesley Townsend

John W. Townsend, 96, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday morning, November 30, 2011 at Park Ridge Health.

He was born in Brooklyn, NY, and had lived in Henderson County for 32 years.

He served in the Army during World War II. For 25 years he volunteered with the National Park Rangers doing trail maintenance on the Blue Ridge Mountain Trails. He enjoyed gardening and reading, but his passion was hiking.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Harriet Townsend of Hendersonville; two daughters, Sandra McCarver of Harrisburg, PA, and Ina Matheson and husband, Rod, of Stanwood, WA; four grandchildren, Dr. Stewart McCarver and wife, Jill, of Landstuhl, Germany; Brian McCarver and wife, Heidi, of Mechanicsburg, PA; Elizabeth Snyder and husband, Chester, of Bar Harbor, ME; and Katherine Matheson of Shanghai, China; seven great-grandchildren, Stefan McCarver, Galen McCarver, Elizabeth McCarver, Beau McCarver, Liam McCarver, Rhys McCarver, and Dean Snyder.

A memorial service will be held at 10 AM Saturday, December 3, 2011 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. Chaplain Arthur Slagle will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.