Leroy Earll

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Leroy Earll of Pierce City, Mo., died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, in his home with family at his bedside. He was born July 13, 1944, in Nevada, Mo., to William Earnest and Viola Gene (Perry) Earll.

Leroy lived in Missouri most of his life. He moved to Texas in 1993, only to return to Missouri in 1995, where his family settled in the Monett-Pierce City area. During his years in Nevada, he started out cleaning chickens at the age of 13 at Maxwell's Meat Processing/Slaughter Plant where his Uncle Butch later taught him the skill of meat cutting/processing. Leroy was a meat cutter for Maxwell's for 27 years. He later co-owned and operated Paul and Jerry's Grocery/Meat Processing, co-managed the Nevada Country Club, co-owned and operated Leroy's Grill on Austin Boulevard, co-owned and operated Earll's Meat Sales & Processing/Retail Ice, and worked for ServiceMaster at the Nevada City Hospital. During his years in Monett-Pierce City he worked for Tyson Foods, was department manager of Laundry/Housekeeping at Monett Health Care Center, owned and operated Earll's Vending. Over the past 12 years, Leroy enjoyed working in his spare time for Ecolab Inc., travelling and meeting new people all over the U.S.

He was a 43 year member of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge No. 564 of Nevada, a member of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Missouri: Unity Lodge No. 495 of Richards, Mo., Carthage Council No. 41, Nevada O'Sullivan Commandery No. 15, Nevada Chapter No. 56 and a 34-year-member of the York Rite Bodies. He was a 34-year-member of the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield, Mo.

Leroy loved riding in the parades as a member of the three-wheeler trikes and the Model Ts, but he was so proud to be a part of helping children with orthopedic needs or victims of burn injuries.

He enjoyed vacationing through the Rocky Mountain states, learning about the battles in the history of the U.S., appreciating the Native American culture/history and working on his "farm" which at times consisted of chickens, ducks, cats, ferrets, goats, horses, donkeys, cattle and most precious -- his dogs. Over the years he owned several: a Dalmatian, Doberman, Rottweiler, Beagle, Weimaraner, two Poodles and three German Shepherds. He loved people and he never knew a stranger. He was always willing to help his family or a person in need. His greatest love was his family and he spoiled us rotten.

Leroy and Karen (Cheney) were married May 28, 1963, in Nevada, and later divorced.

Leroy and Jana (Cole) were married April 24, 1984, in Miami, Okla., and Jana survives. He is also survived by four daughters, Susie and husband, Stan Farmer, of Jefferson City, Mo., Beverly Roberts and companion, Joe McClelland, of Pierce City, Mo., Shannon Ware of Joplin, Mo., and Randee and husband, Kaleb Collinsworth, of Pierce City, Mo; eight grandchildren, Camille, Moriah "Mo" and Brieanna "Brie" Farmer, Wyatt and wife, Breyann Roberts, Ian and wife, Holly Roberts, Elizabeth "Libby" and Layton "Bubba" Ware, Kailee "Kate" Collinsworth, and Baby Boy Collinsworth, to be born very soon; two brothers and their wives, Joe and Mary Earll of Springfield, Mo., and Jim and Twila Earll of Nevada; brother-in-law and his wife, Jay and Jennifer Cole of Overland Park, Kan; father-in-law, James Cole Jr. of Pierce City, Mo.; and many other cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Emma Jean Branham; and a brother, Earnest Stanley Earll.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Shriner's children's burn hospital or the charity of the donor's choice, in care of Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 26, Granby, MO 64844.

The body has been cremated and a celebration of Leroy's life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home, Granby, Mo.

Online condolences may be posted at http://clarkfuneralhomes.com