Obituary of Calvin Earhart

Calvin Lee "C.L." Earhart Sr. February 24, 1947-October 28, 2007 Calvin Lee Earhart Sr. died unexpectedly at 8:05am, Sunday morning at home. He had been ill since 2003. Friends may gather from 4:00pm until a memorial service at 7:00pm, Thursday, November 1, 2007 at the Merkle Funeral Home. The Rev. Harold Raines pastor of Monroe Full Gospel Church will officiate. Cremation has taken place through Southern Michigan Services, Livonia. A private family inurnment of cremains will take place at a later date at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. "C.L." as his friends called him was born February 24, 1947 in Conroe, Texas the son of Calvin Benton and Nan (Bridges) Earhart. On April 9, 1964 he entered the United States Army serving until March 22, 1967. "C.L." worked as a tank mechanic in Germany. He acquired the rank of SP-5. He married Linda Koch on August 15, 1969 in his parent's home in Beuna Park, California. While living in California he worked as a Supervisor for ten years for Georgia Pacific. In 1992 he moved his family to Michigan. Since 1992 he has worked as a truck driver, first, for Crystal Carriers in Romulus delivering bread for the Kroger Company and then for A&D Transport of Canton delivering automotive parts. He was forced to take a medical retirement in 2003. A good husband and father, "C.L.", was an avid drag racing fan and enjoyed the NHRA. While living in California the family frequented Orange County Dragway. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting especially deer. His favorite pastime of all was taking Naps. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife: Linda of Carleton; a son: Calvin Lee Earhart Jr. of Monroe; a sister: Nancy (Lloyd) Hall of Anaheim, California; two grandchildren: Calvin Lee Earhart III of Detroit and Ashley Marie E. Smith of Monroe; and former brother-in-law and good friend Arthur (Denise) Burgess of New Boston. He also leaves several wonderful caretakers in addition to his wife and son including: Duane "Big Guy" McLean of Newport, Diane Reynolds and Stacey Wolfe both of Flat Rock, and visiting nurses: Lynn and Michelle. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his parents and a brother: Benton Wayne Earhart. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the family.