Earl Burl Stull April 15, 1920 – December 27, 2010
Earl Burl Stull, son of Daisy Belle Combs Stull and Percy Clyde Stull, was born in the Nation east of Allendale, Missouri on April 15, 1920. In his younger years, the family moved around residing in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Iowa. Burl attended the Mount Ayr high school graduating in 1940. He didn’t like school but loved sports especially football. Burl joined the service on December 1, 1941. He was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division December 11, 1941 and served with the 143rd Armored Signal Corp. He was involved in combat in England, France, Belgium and Germany. His most memorable experience was the Battle of the Bulge. Burl had worked for the local telephone company before going to the service. After his return from the service, he returned to work for the local telephone company. He retired after 45 years of service. At the time of his retirement, it was called Contel. He has told many stories of working alongside Tom Golliday for most of those years.
On December 24, 1945, he married Iona Ruth Daniels. They had two children; Shirley Colleen and William Earl. They later divorced. On April 11, 1969, he married Helen Virginia Caldwell Knight. From this union he gained three daughters, Jacqueline Sue, Deborah Ann and Carmetta Lynn.
After Burl accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, his faith became a very important part of his life. He served as Sunday school superintendent, Sunday school teacher and on the church board for many years. As long as his health permitted, he was in church every chance he could. He read his Bible faithfully every day even up to the last. Burl was a 30-year member of the Mount Ayr Volunteer Fire Department. He was a 65-year member of the American Legion Ringgold Post #172.
After Burl’s retirement, he and Helen enjoyed pulling their camper to Branson, Missouri a couple of times a year. They would visit family and friends on the way down and back. Burl enjoyed being outdoors. He liked being on the farm and taking care of the livestock. Even after he and Helen moved to town, he would go out to the farm and help — nothing was officially done until he put on the final touch. In 2006, Burl was reacquainted with Edna Baker. They enjoyed going to church and visiting family and friends together until their health wouldn’t permit. He loved being around his kids, grandkids, other relatives and friends. He enjoyed all their visits, always saying, ‘Don’t need to rush off’ when anyone was about to leave. On May 23, 2007, Burl moved into the Mount Ayr Health Care Center after breaking a hip and being in the hospital a few weeks. He passed away at Health Care on December 27, 2010.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, on March 15, 2006; daughter, Shirley Colleen; parents; infant sister, Virginia; brother, Tom and sister-in-law Marilyn Stull; a great-grandson; brothers-in-law, Rex, Lyle, Jack and Ron Caldwell; sisters-in-law, Janis, Ruth, Maxine and Rowena, and a very special friend, Edna Baker.
Left to cherish his memory are his son, Bill Stull and wife Faye of Mount Ayr, Iowa; daughters, Jacqueline Sparks of La Quinta, California, Deborah Knight of Amsterdam, Missouri and Carmetta Brennan of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruby and Ken Schoonover; sisters-in-law, Evalyn Knapp and Rebecca Caldwell; nieces; nephews; other relatives, and friends.
A memorial fund has been established in his name for local organizations.
Services were held at Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Thursday, December 30, 2010, with Pastor Barton Shields officiating. Musicians included Deb Cannon and Ken Campbell.
Casket bearers were Jeffery Maben, Jodie Maben, John Maben, Daniel Stull, Thad Fletchall and Eddie Egan.
Honorary pallbearers included Chris Strever, Jeff Stull, Brad Stull, David Gilland, Gordon Bittendener and Tom Golliday.
Military Rites were by Ringgold Post #172 and Iowa Honor Guard Unit.
Burl was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr.
