Eddie Joseph Ankar, 77, of Chattanooga went home to be with the Lord on Monday December 28, 2009. A native of Ramallah, Palestine, he was proud to call Chattanooga his home for more than 50 years. Eddie was a veteran of the United States Navy and served in the Korean War. He co-owned and operated Ankar's Restaurant & Lounge on Lee Hwy, a restaurant loved by many in the Chattanooga community for over 40 years. There he built lasting and cherished friendships. He was a member of the Alhambra Shriners, the American Legion Post 95, and the VFW Local 1289.
Eddie is survived by his wife, Zahweh; four children, JoAnn, Kathy, Eddie Jr., Doris (Paul) Southerland; two grandchildren, Joseph and John David; two brothers, Frank and Freddie and their families; one sister, Nora and her family; and several nieces and nephews. Blessed with a kind and generous spirit, he will be greatly missed.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 AM Wednesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Gilbert Diaz officiating. Burial will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Tuesday and from 9 AM until time for the service on Wednesday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road.