ASHFORD. . .Van Franklin “Wormie” Etheridge, a resident of Ashford, passed away Friday morning, July 3, 2026, at his home, with loved ones by his side. He was 73.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, July 6, 2026, in the Holman-Headland Mortuary Chapel with Reverend Greg Aman officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:00 A.M. Monday at the mortuary in Headland. Burial will follow in the Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery, Pansey, Alabama.
Van Franklin Ethridge was born in Indiana, son of the late Tom Franklin Etheridge and Virginia McKinnon Etheridge. He was a graduate of Ashford High School. Van lived in Houston County, near Ashford, most of his adult lifetime. He was retired from Marley Construction Company (MCT) as a Superintendent and worked at several nuclear plant sites including Farley Nuclear Plant near Columbia. Van loved the outdoors including fishing and hunting. An avid NASCAR fan, Van was also a die-hard Alabama football fan and was always yelling “ROLL TIDE”. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Elaine Platz.
Surviving relatives include a sister, Robin Etheridge Conrad, Ashford; his former wife who was very special to him, Catherine Etheridge, Columbia; a step-daughter, Tiffany Thurman, a step-son, Brad Thurman; a step-grandson, Brayden Thurman; several nieces and nephews including three special nieces, Vanna Conrad (Chris Snell), Keely Conrad Pugh (Dustin), Samantha Jo Conrad (Michael Robinson), and several cousins.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Donnie Cosby, Jimmy Dupree, Terry Parker, Randy Underwood, Brad Thurman and Phillip Pelham.
The family would like to express their appreciation to ACG Hospice and especially Cassidy and Kiva for the loving care and kindness shown to Van during his illness.
HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com. This establishment does not own a crematory.
