Ernest Tench

RETIRED U.S. ARMY MASTER SERGEANT ERNEST L. TENCH, JR., age 88, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Friday, March 29, 2013, at a local care facility. Master Sergeant Tench was born on August 7, 1924, in Habersham County, Georgia; son of the late Ernest L. Tench, Sr. and Velma Woodall Tench. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Barbara Ann Tench; brothers, J.T. Tench and Lamar Tench; and grandchildren, Adam Beiser and Andon Brown. Master Sergeant Tench was a retired U.S. Army World War II Veteran. He retired from the U.S. Army with 21 years of service, having served overseas for 30 months. Master Sergeant Tench also served under General Patton and served in North Africa, and the invasion of Sicily and Normandy. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantrymans badge, Parachute wings, Glidermans wings, the ETO ribbon with 2 invasion arrowheads, 7 major campaign stars, and other ribbons. Master Sergeant Tench was a member of Trueway Baptist Church. He was a member of Fort Benning Masonic Lodge 579 F&AM where he received his 50 year pin, apron, and certificate in July 2000. He was a lifetime member of the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, the American Legion, the National Association of Uniformed Services, and the Retired Army Enlisted Association. Survivors include his wife, Martha Powell Tench, Cornelia, GA; daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Mark Joiner, Gainesville, GA and Nancy and Bobby Beiser, Loganville, GA; daughters, Pat Larrimore, Bloomington, MN and Linda Taylor, Rome, GA; sister, Betty Robinson, Cornelia, GA; brother, James E. Tench, Cornelia, GA; seven grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, at Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia, with Larry Whitfield officiating and military honors provided. Interment will follow in Level Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2013, just prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, make contributions to Winship Cancer Center, Melanoma Research Fund, 1365-C Clifton Road, Suite 3012, Atlanta, Georgia 30322. Those wishing to express online condolences to the Tench family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.