Earl Sargent

Earl F. Sargent, 84, of Sheboygan, passed away Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Earl was born February 4, 1929 in Sheboygan Falls to the late Martin and Loretta (Bretsch) Sargent. He graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in 1947. Earl served his country in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953, spending 18 months in Korea during the Korean Conflict. He married the former Gladys Mertes on February 3, 1951 at First Reformed Church in Oostburg. Earl was self employed as a window washer who was seen all over town whistling away as he worked. He retired from the maintenance department of Schultz Sav-O Warehouse in 1992. He was a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ in Sheboygan. Earl was a life member for over 45 years of VFW 9156, as a past Post Commander and also served on the funeral honor guard for many years, worked in the kitchen doing dishes for Friday fish fry at the VFW. He was also a member of American Legion #83, treasurer of Sheboygan County Veterans Memorial and a volunteer for Meals-on-wheels. Earl still enjoyed league bowling, reading, crossword puzzles, gardening and visits with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also enjoyed many years as snowbirds to Florida where Earl could be seen puttering around the yard endlessly. In addition to his wife of 62 years, Gladys, survivors include two daughters, Lorie (Robert) Zelle and Sandra (Ron) Bowe, both of Sheboygan Falls; two sons, Larry (Kim) Sargent, AZ and Jeffrey (Terry) Sargent, Sheboygan; eight grandchildren, Jenn (Scott) Hackel, Ariana (Matt) Wight, Alison Zelle, Andrew (Heather) Sargent, Tony (Trina) Sargent, Tyler Bowe, Raianna Sargent and Kalley Sargent; seven great-grandchildren, Logan and Jocelyn Wight, Natalia and Alexa Hackel, Travis Bowe, Colton Sargent and Jack Sargent; three brothers-in-law, Gilbert (Geanie) Mertes, Norman (Kim) Mertes and Aaron (Shirley) Mertes; two sisters-in-law, Louise Mertes and Kathleen Mertes. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Travis Bowe, one brother, LaMoine (Joyce) Sargent, three brothers-in-law, Roland and Jerome Mertes and Richard Janey and three sisters-in-law, Irma Janey and Donna and Shirley Mertes. A funeral service for Earl will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at St. John United Church of Christ (1248 Lincoln Avenue, Sheboygan) with the Rev. Gregory Whelton officiating, followed by military honors. Friends may call on Saturday at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Sunrise Memorial Park. A memorial fund has been established in Earl's name. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, St. Nicholas Hospital, Sheboygan Progressive Care, Dr. Santhosh Kumar and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and Rev. Gregory Whelton for their compassion and care.