James "Dick" Bethel

Mr. James “Dick” Bethel, age 93, of Clarkesville died Saturday, June 18, 2016. 

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. from the Hillside Memorial Chapel with Rev. Grady Walden officiating.  Interment will follow the service at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Demorest. 

Mr. Bethel was born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky on September 5, 1922, to the late Walter M. Bethel, Sr. and Geneva Ellen Vincent.  Married to Dolores Minniti Bethel for 69 years, Mr. Bethel has lived in Habersham County since 1982.  He was a railroad engineer with Burlington Northern for 35 years and served in the U. S. Army during WWII.  Mr. Bethel was President of his Local Union 620. He coached the men’s softball team for Clarkesville Auto Parts for 18 years.  Mr. Bethel made stained glass and enjoyed carpentry. He was a registered Girl Scout. He was a deacon of Clarkesville Baptist Church. 

Survivors include his wife, Dolores Minniti Bethel of Clarkesville, daughter and son-in-law Jodie and Tony Seelig of Clarkesville, sons Jerry Bethel of Nashville, Tennessee,Joell Bethel of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and son and daughter-in-law James Jr. and Diana Bethel of Millen, brother and sister-in-law Walter Melvin “Butch” and Martha Bethel of Cleveland, grandchildren Tracey Bethel, Jim Bethel, Joey Bethel, Jack Bethel, A.J. Seelig, Andrew Seelig and Deeanne Seelig, and great-grandchildren Sidney, Sophie and Zoey. 

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday, June 20, 2016 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Clarkesville Baptist Church Children's Ministry, PO Box 667, Clarkesville, GA 30523. 

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hillsidememorialchapel.com. 

Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.