Obituary: Edmund Ashley Nephew

Edmund Ashley Nephew, age 86, of Oak Ridge, died Wednesday, August 20, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

He was born April 26, 1928, in Kinsman, Ohio, the son of Seward Ashley Nephew and Carrie Bascom Nephew.

Mr. Nephew was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean War. He retired from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was a physicist. He was very interested in local politics, serving on the Planning Commission for four years, serving as a City Council member, and serving as mayor of Oak Ridge for two years. He enjoyed participating in the Sister City Support Organization and attending concerts of the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Robert Ashley Nephew; brothers, David and Ackland; and sisters, Vera, Ruth, and Blanche.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Maria “Marese” Theresia Gobhardt Nephew; son, Thomas Martin Nephew and wife Margaret Dadian of Tacoma Park, Maryland; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Nephew of Conyers, Georgia; brother, Frank Bion Nephew and wife Lillian of Lucas, Ohio; and four grandchildren, Madeleine Nephew, Holly Nephew, Ashley Nephew, and Kris Leach.

The family received friends on Saturday, August 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. A celebration of his life followed at 7 p.m. A graveside service was held on Sunday, August 24, at 10 a.m. at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.