Mr. C. J. Entsminger, Jr., age 65, of Covington, Virginia died Monday, March 16, 2020 at LewisGale Medical Center, Salem.

He was the husband of Alma Biggs Entsminger.

Mr. Entsminger was born May 26, 1954 in Covington, the son of the late Claiborne Joseph Entsminger, Sr. and Florentine Taylor Entsminger.

He was a lifetime resident of this community. During his working career, C. J. had been employed as a slitter operator by the former Hercules, a clerk with the former Downer Hardware and with the first aid and safety department at Back Creek.

In September, 1990, C. J. went to work for Westvaco, now WestRock, where he was now the preventive maintenance and safety supervisor for the WestRock Covington mill.

A dedicated firefighter, Mr. Entsminger joined the Covington Fire Department on December 9, 1976 and at the time of his death, he was their longest-tenured active member. He held several offices including department president and served the city of Covington as its Fire Marshal for many years.

C. J. was also a longtime member of the Covington Rescue Squad as well as being an active member of the WestRock Rescue Squad. He was a CPR/AED and basic first aid instructor for over 35 years. He was a member of the first Cardiac-level training class held in the Alleghany Highlands and a member of the state championship teams in EMT, heavy rescue, vehicle extrication and dive team. C. J. served the squad as president, vice-president, quartermaster and was a member of the VAVRS and IRECA international rescue and emergency care teams. He held many certifications, including being ProBoard certified in five areas.

Looking to fulfill a life-long desire to serve his community, C. J. ran and was elected to Covington City Council in late 2018, taking his seat on January 1, 2019.

Mr. Entsminger was raised a Master Mason on April 25, 1988 with the Covington Masonic Lodge #171 AF & AM making him a member for over thirty-one years. He was also a Shriner with the Clifton Forge Shrine Club and Kazim Temple in Roanoke.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Entsminger is survived by a son, Eddie Joe Entsminger and Kaitlynn Cook; a daughter, Nicole E. Shifflett and husband, Justin; three grandchildren, Addyson Neff, Alyssa Shifflett and Alexa Shifflett; two sisters, Susan Irby and Pat Phillips; a sister-in-law, Cheryl Posey and Larry Terry; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020 from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Jeff Wylde officiating, assisted by Anthony Lowery. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Friday afternoon from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home and at other times, at the residence of Nicole and Justin Shifflett, 307 Dusty's Road, Covington.

Masonic rites will be conducted by Covington Masonic Lodge #171 AF & AM at 4:30 p.m. during the first visitation. Graveside rites will be conducted by Covington Fire Department.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Covington Fire Department, 435 W. Hawthorne Street, Covington, VA 24426.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.