Joseph D. Exline

Exline, Joseph D., 80, of Beaverdam, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 10, 2016. He departed peacefully at 7:30 AM, surrounded by all of his loving family members at his home in Little River Estates, on White Pine Rd. in Beaverdam, VA. He bravely struggled to recover from major heart valve replacement surgery that took place in October of 2007. His unconditional love for his family gave him strength to survive for another 8 and ½ years. He was born, June 1, 1935 in Lewis County, WV. He was the proud son of Frank and Dona Exline. He had one brother, Gerald Exline, and two sisters, Mary Emaleen Saville and Joann Brill. He graduated 1st from Glenville State College, Glenville, WV, where he married his wife, Janet Carol White on April 19th, 1958. They moved to Herndon, VA after graduation in 1960, where he taught Earth Science and Biology at Herndon H.S. In 1968, he received a Master’s Degree in Biology from Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. He also earned a Doctorate in Earth Science from Maryland University in College Park, MD in 1973. His next step in his educational career was when he joined the VA Department of Education in 1974 in Richmond, VA. He was appointed Director of Science in 1978, by Secretary of Education, James Dyke to develop the stated Statewide Systemic initiative. He was Principal Investigator and Project Director for VA Quality Education in Sciences and Technology called V-Quest, funded by the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. in 1992. He directed the project until June 1995, at which time he took the Governor’s early retirement. He then formed, Exline Consulting Services Inc., in 1987. He remained actively engaged in civic affairs. One of his major accomplishments was working as President of Beaverdam Heritage Day Foundation and to see the construction of Pop’s Country Store. This was a small museum that housed a collection of old store antiques that were generously donated by the late Retta Smith from Edgewood, VA, her childhood home. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Janet C. Exline, and 3 children. His son, Joseph David Exline (Sharon), his daughter, Diana Carol Exline (Gregory/Mike), and son, Christopher Andrew Exline (Angela). Also surviving are the following grandchildren, Paul David Exline (Christie), Matthew Lee Exline (Leah), Dustin Gregory Peirce (Tara), Bryan Scott Exline, Jessica Ashley Arnold and Taeah Nicole Exline. He also had the following great-grandchildren; Shayne Exline, Braydan Exline, Bryce Peirce, Savannah Frye and Layla Peirce. Other special friends of the family are Claude Payne, Annette Truelove, Teressa Clark and Joshua James. A memorial service will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11:00 AM. The address is 412 S. Washington Highway, Ashland, VA 23005. A reception will be held immediately afterwards, at the Exline family home: 17293 White Pine Rd. Beaverdam, VA 23015. The family wants to send thanks to the Beaverdam United Methodist Church, Heartland Hospice Care, Nelsen Funeral Home and all the friends and family that have offered their condolences and support. A very special thanks to Kim Hall for being a wonderful caregiver prior to Hospice. He was well-respected by not only his friends and family, but by the entire community. His guidance and leadership have been an encouraging example to all. He will be forever loved and missed. He may be gone, but will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice Care and/or Beaverdam United Methodist Church.