Earl W. Sheckler
Earl W. Sheckler, 77, died Friday (Dec. 18, 2009) at Newton
Medical Center. He was born Dec. 28, 1931, in Hanna City, Ill., to Samuel and
Mary (Swadinski) Sheckler. On March 3, 1962, he married Faye I. Long in
Olympia, Wash. She preceded him in death on May 3, 2007. He was a retired concrete
finisher. Earl served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1973. He served
in both Korea and Vietnam. He retired with the rank of staff sergeant, where he
earned the Bronze Star. Earl moved to Schowalter Villa in Hesston in 2006 to be
near his wife. He was known for his outgoing and friendly nature. And he made
friends very easily. He liked to tease the nurses and health-care workers with
his good-natured humor.
Family was very important to Earl, and he looked forward to
visits from his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew
and cared about him.
Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Relyea of Colorado
Springs, Colo., and Ethel Jones of Newton; a son, John Sheckler of Newton; a
brother, Robert Sheckler of Okeechobee, Fla.; a sister, Ila Wagner of
Brimfield, Ill.; 13 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
He also was preceded in death by son Lyle Sheckler, son
Frank Brown, daughter Carla Brown, son Herman Sheckler, infant twins, several
brothers and sisters, son-in-law Richard Jones, and his parents.
Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Monday at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton, with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Schowalter
Villa Chapel with chaplain Dennie Jantzi officiating. Burial will be in
Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Memorials may be made to Schowalter Villa in care of the
funeral home.
