Rich Earl, 75

Richard L. Earl Sr., age 75, of Sturgis, passed away Monday afternoon, May 13, 2013, at Bronson Methodist Hospital in Kalamazoo.

He was born Feb. 10, 1938, in Three Rivers, a son of the late Rex and Avis (Chamberlain) Earl.

Rich resided in the Sturgis, Constantine and Three Rivers area his entire life, and was a graduate of Three Rivers High School with the class of 1955.

On July 8, 1977, he married Cindy K. Brown at the Kimball Chapel of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis.

Nearly all of Rich’s working life was involved in the retail industry. For many years, he was a manager at the Harding’s Markets in Sturgis and Constantine. For more than 20 years, he and his wife, Cindy, owned and operated House of Cards and Gifts and Cindy’s Hallmark stores, both in Sturgis.

Rich was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Sturgis, where he was involved in the Stephen Ministry. He was also a member of the Eagles Lodge #2303 in Three Rivers. Rich enjoyed playing golf, bowling, fishing, swimming, following sports on television, especially the Detroit Lions and Tigers and sharing coffee with his many friends. Rich had many hobbies and interests but what he truly cherished was time spent with his family especially his grandsons.

Rich was a veteran of the U.S. Army, earning the rank of SP4.

He is survived by a daughter, Kathy (Gary) Roth of Shipshewana, Ind.; a son, Trenton (Shellie) Leach of Nolensville, Tenn.; two grandsons, Sullivan Leach and Harrison Leach; a special friend, Delores Keyser of Sturgis; a brother, Roger Earl of Douglas, Ariz.; three sisters, June DeLong of Three Rivers, Joyce Cooley of Bradenton, Fla., and Terry (Ken) Simmons of Luther; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and a son and daughter-in-law: Richard L. “Rick” Jr. and Dawn Earl.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Richard L. Earl, Sr. will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Deb Johnson will officiate. Entombment will follow the service at the Sturgis Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Full military honors will be conferred by Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW and the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Earl’s memory consider First United Methodist Church, 200 Pleasant Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.