Edwin Roper, age 77 of Gardendale went to be with the Lord on Jan. 30, 2008. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a life member of the VFW post 668, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of Purple Heart and the masonic lodge. He retired as a brick layer in Bessemer and as a supervisor for the Tarrant Street and Sanitation Department. He is survived by his wife, Bobbie Roper; children, Diane Smith (William), Becky Clark (Roger); Edwin R. Roper (Wanda), Tammy Ulmer (Mel), Rod Roper (Tammy) and Trisha Madaris; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers, James Brown and Bill Roper (Clydene). Services were held at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel with burial at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Rev. Leonard Estes officiated. Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel, 2229 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, (205) 631–6252