Earl W. Eake, 92, of Shawano, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2014, at Shawano Medical Center in Shawano. He was born June 17, 1921, in Neenah to the late Leonard and Linda (Mueller) Eake.
Earl served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Earl married Mabel Louise Hoffman on March 31, 1942, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Neenah. Together they moved briefly to Appleton and then to Neenah, where Earl and Mabel farmed their 180-acre homestead located directly south of the Breezewood Lane and Tullar Road intersection. In 1954, Earl sold the farm and purchased a feed mill at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Minnesota Street, to be known as Eake Milling Co., and moved the family to Oshkosh.
After selling the mill property to The Morgan Door Co., Earl went on to work at U.S. Motors for more than 20 years as a welder, a skill he learned in the military. Always an entrepreneurial free spirit at heart, Earl started his own carpet and flooring sales and installation business that he operated until his retirement.
Shortly after his retirement, Mabel passed away. Earl then moved to the Shawano. Next he met his new partner for the rest of his life, Cecelia Anderson. Earl and Cecelia enjoyed their years together caring for the many dogs and cats that seemed to find their way to them for food and shelter.
Earl enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially deer hunting.
Surviving Earl are his children, Sherrianne Airola and Gary Eake (Jo Sawicki), both of Oshkosh; one brother, Eugene (Joan) Eake, of Neenah; three sisters, Marion (Howard Jr.) Larson, of Kaukauna, Carol Eake, of Chicago, Gloria Wollersheim, of Neenah; brother-in-law, John Quella, of North Carolina; plus several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
Along with his parents, Earl was also preceded in death by his wife, Mabel; four sisters, Dolores, Lucille, Phyllis, and Janet; and two brothers, Orvin and Kenneth.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. at the Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 4120 County Road M (northeast corner of state Highway 153 and County Road M), Stratford, with a luncheon for family and friends to immediately follow until 3:30 p.m. There will be no graveside service, but Earl will be laid to rest in the Ebenezer United Church of Christ Cemetery.
On Sunday, March 2, 2014, from 1:30-4 p.m. an additional memorial gathering for family and friends will be held at Robbins Restaurant, 1810 Omro Road, Oshkosh.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Shawano County Humane Society, 1290 Jaycee Court, Shawano.
Cecelia and Earl’s family offers many thanks to the staff of ResCare Home Care Services, Birch Hill Nursing Home and Shawano Medical Center for the professional and caring services they provided Earl during his times of need.
Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com.
Categories
