DICKSON, Tenn. – The body and life of a 66-year-old Army veteran has gone unclaimed, but members of a Middle Tennessee town have refused to let him go unnoticed by asking people to attend his funeral service.
The story behind Army veteran Ronnie Lee Toler could have seemed as empty as the room that held his casket. The 66-year-old passed away in late August, but no one has come forward to claim him.
"I can't imagine anyone not claiming anyone," nurse, Emily Hunter said. "He was alone, he was pretty much alone."
Toler spent the last few years of his life at the NHC Nursing Facility in Dickson. Hunter was one of a few who personally knew him. "He didn't like to talk about the past. He wanted to live for the present," she said.
After his death, they reached out to the Dickson Funeral Home.
"We had the choice of cremating him or giving him a burial and wanted to choose to honor him and his legacy," Director Chris Mayberry said.
In an effort to gather a little support, a staff member posted a message on social media. The attention it garnered has been overwhelming. The original post on the funeral home’s facebook page was shared 95 times, and an updated version of the post was shared a total of 459 times.
"It's a great thing to see especially in this day and time, especially with what's going on in our country," Army veteran, David Brock said.
Little was known about Toler, there were no pictures or badges, just service papers which showed he served from 1974 to 1975 and received the National Defense Service Medal.
"He did speak of a tour once so I figured it was Vietnam," said Hunter.
He will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Middle Tennessee State Veteran Cemetery Monday morning, September 21. The funeral home has donated their services and the casket while the cemetery will provide the plot and monument.
"Just makes you feel good to live here in a small town where people still care," Mayberry said.
Toler may be gone but he won't be forgotten. "I think he would smile, I think he would laugh. I think he would be honored," Hunter said.
Visitation will be held at Dickson Funeral Home Sunday afternoon from 2-6 p.m. Toler's procession from the funeral home will begin at 8:15 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday.
