Leland Stanford (Buddy) Edelen, Jr., 78, of Tifton (Berrien County) passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, at Malcon Randall VA Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. A graveside funeral service will be held for Buddy at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Berrien County, where he will be laid to rest. The Rev. Marv William and the Rev. Junior Dees will officiate the service. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 29, 205, at Oakey Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Berrien County immediately following the service.
Pallbearers will be Kalen Horne, Brantley Edelen, Cameran Dulaney, Dillon Brown, Kyle Rutherford, Carl Nichols, Jed Pearman, and Ruben Gomez.
Born on June 8, 1946, in Tift County, Buddy was the son of the late Leland Stanford Edelen, Sr. and Lois Dillard Evans. He was also preceded in death by one son, Leland Stanford “Stan” Edelen, III, who passed away in January 2025.
Buddy served in the United States Army as a Sergeant from 1967-1968 and fought in the Vietnam War and was wounded for his bravery. After coming home, he obtained his machine shop, auto/diesel mechanic, and welding degrees from Ben Hill Irwin Technical School in Fitzgerald. He worked his entire life as a farmer before retiring. He loved fishing and his two dogs, Shorty and Bonnie.
Buddy is survived by his wife of 57 years, Aline Prine Edelen of Tifton (Berrien County); one son and daughter-in-law, Wade Edelen (Kayte); one daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn Rutherford (Kyle); a daughter-in-law, Ashley Edelen; one sister, Linda Flournoy; several grandchildren, Kelsey Brown (Dillon), Kalen Horne, Bailey McAnally (Logan), Brantley Edelen, Grayson Edelen, and Emerson Edelen; two step-grandchildren, Cameran Dulaney and Claire Dulaney; and three great-grandchildren, Jace Brown, Laura Brown, and Elijah McAnally.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorial gifts may be made to Fisher House, 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608.