Edward J. Kachelein, 85, of Water Valley, passed away on March 29, 2017, at his residence with his wife, Patricia Carolyn Kachelein, of 8 years, by his side. A time of gathering to honor his life will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with the Rev. David Bodenheimer, Keith Gillespie and Jimmie Moore officiating.

A burial service will follow later in the year at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

He was born in Maple Heights, Ohio to George and Jenny Kachelein, the youngest of six children. He subsequently joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC) where he proudly served his country from 1951 – 1978 and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant. During his tenure in the Marine Corps, he had tours of duty in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1953, he married Darlene M. (Sass) Kachelein, his wife of 55 years and mother of their four sons. Although his military career took him and his family to several different duty stations, they were long-time residents of El Toro, California. Upon retiring from the USMC, he spent the next 20 years working in the private sector for the Siemens, Toshiba and Compaq corporations. At the time of his death, he was a member of North Oxford Baptist Church. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 55 and the Marine Corps League W.M. Jones Detachment 1431. He was a loving husband, father, mentor and friend to all. He will truly be missed.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, George A. Kachelein.

Survivors include his current wife and loving partner, Carolyn Kachelein; four sons, Michael Kachelein of California, Stephen Kachelein of Virginia, Mark Kachelein of Virginia and Joseph Kachelein of California; sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Godwin of Ohio, nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two stepsons, Mike Thomas of Memphis, Tennessee and Jeffrey Thomas of Water Valley, and step-daughter, Vickie Byrd of Memphis, Tennessee.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Kachelein’s memory may be made to North Oxford Baptist Church, TOGO Mission Fund, P.O. Box 1700, Oxford, MS 38655.

In honor of Mr. Kachelein’s service to our country the flag of the United States Marine Corps will be flown at Waller Funeral Home.