Obituary of Edward H. Fetner

Chapin—Edward H. "Ed" Fetner, Jr., of Chapin, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Born in Columbia, SC on July 13, 1921, he was the son of Edward H. Fetner, Sr. and Mary Rosa Benson Fetner. He was a graduate of Dreher High School, class of 1940. Growing up, he was an aviation enthusiast, building large scale model airplanes and competing regionally in flying meets. Following high school, he studied airframe mechanics in California and elsewhere, attaining the airframe mechanic FAA license. During World War II, he was the head aircraft mechanics ground instructor at Palmetto School of Aeronautics in Columbia. There he met and wed one of his students, Nadine B. Chapman, of Mullins. They were married for sixty-four years, until her death in 2008. Following the war, Mr. Fetner was educated in engineering studies and joined Wilbur Smith and Associates as one of its first full-time engineering employees. He retired in 1983 as director of structural plans production. In 1952 he founded Fishunt Maps and produced the definitive maps of Lake Murray, Santee Cooper, and Lake Wateree, as well as those of cities and school districts around the state. In the mid-1950s, he was instrumental in forming the Belvedere Little Boys Baseball League and served as president for its first four years. His interest in the local waters led him to take boating courses with the U.S. Power Squadrons (USPS), where he attained its highest level, Senior Navigator. He was past commander of Congaree (now Lake Murray) Power Squadron, USPS District 26 Education Officer, and USPS District 26 Commander. Until his passing he served as a USPS national examiner for advanced boating courses. Mr. Fetner loved genealogy and history, and he authored many local interest articles for several publications, principally around Lake Murray. He was named 1992 Member of the Year, Lake Murray Tourism and Recreation association and 2004 Man of the Year, Lake Murray Association. He was a member of Chapin United Methodist Church. Mr. Fetner is survived by his daughter, Carolyn R. Fetner of Columbia; son, Edward H. "Ted" Fetner III (Debra) of Charleston; grandchildren, Alissa C. Fetner of Santa Monica, CA and George S. Fetner of Columbia. The family thanks the nurses and staff of the Heritage at Lowman and Lutheran Hospice for their loving care. A funeral service for Ed will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Chapin United Methodist Church burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will greet friends from 2-3 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church, 415 Lexington Avenue, Chapin, SC 29036 or Lutheran Hospice, 1505 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201.