Thomas L. "Tommy" Earls, age 87, of Muncie, passed away, after a short illness, Sunday, January 29, 2012 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital with his loving family at his side. He was born April 5, 1924 in McMinnville, TN to Alexander and Dora (Newby) Earls. Tommy was a WW II Army veteran and came to the Muncie area in 1948. He worked at Owens Illinois for 20 years and later, retired from Warner Gear in 1997. Tommy was a member of UAW Local 287 and was a huge fan of The Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw. He loved to take walks and liked to be driven in the family car, spending time with his grandchildren and getting his daily fix of ice cream. He also loved to spend time with his family feeding the ducks. He will be greatly missed by all who loved and knew him.
He married the former Louella Marie Warner on February 14, 1953 in Rushville, IN and she preceded him in death on September 8, 1994. Tommy is survived by his sons, Thomas Lloyd Earls of Muncie and Dave Earls (wife Lisa Rose) of Royerton; daughters, Dora, Barbara and Brenda Earls, all of Muncie, Linda Wall (husband Ken) of Bremerton, WA; brothers, Billy (wife Nelda) of Toledo, OH, Bobby (wife Jean) of Winchester, TN and James (wife Peggy) of McMinnville, TN; sister-in-law Annie Earls of Parker City, IN; grandchildren, Brad Earls, KJ Wall, Justin Earls, Catelyn Earls and Autumn Earls; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Louella, four brothers and seven sisters.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N. State Rd. 3, Muncie, 47303 with Pastor Dennis Trimble officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Muncie. Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 AM until service time at the funeral home.