Obituary

Hobert Edward Earls
(July 12, 1947 - May 20, 2011)

HOBERT EDWARD "EDDIE" EARLS, 63, left his earthly life Friday, May 20, 2011, and was welcomed into the presence of his Heavenly Father. He was born July 12, 1947, in Huntington, W.Va., to Billy Denford and Ivalee Faye (Cyrus) Earls. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011, at the Reger Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Spring Valley Memory Gardens. Eddie was preceded in death by his father, Billy Denford Earls; paternal grandparents, Hobert G. Earls and Betty Jo (Pyles) Earls, Harrison; and his maternal grandparents, Thomas Edward "Tommy" and Armilda (Lowe) Cyrus; along with numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. Eddie is survived by his loving mother, Ivalee Faye (Cyrus) Earls of Ceredo, W.Va., with whom he resided. He had been married to Deborah (Keaton) Earls, Huffman, and they childered a daughter, Kimberly Dawn (Earls) Cunningham of Cleveland, Ohio; and a son, Mark Edward Earls, married to Chelsea Desiree (Curtis) Earls of Priest River, Idaho. Grandchildren include Meghan Noel Cunningham of Parkersburg, W.Va., Olivia Joyce and Oliver Cyrus Earls of Priest River, Idaho. He is also survived by an uncle, Raymond Edsell Cyrus; many cousins and three very special cousins, Sheila G. Earls, Billie Jo Earls and Joyce (Adkins) Jones. And a very special friend and helper, Donna Shull of Milton, W.Va. He played little league growing up and was a graduate of Vinson High School, class of 1965, where he was a member of the Vinson Marching Band Drum Corps and played baseball for the Vinson Tigers. Eddie briefly attended Marshall University and was an avid fan till his passing. While he attended Marshall, he was drafted to serve in Vietnam. He entered his military service with the United States Marine Corps as a Private (E-1), January 1967, and endured basic training at Parris Island, S.C. While in the service, his nickname was "Squirrel." His last duty assignment: HML-167, MAG16, 1stMAW. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/1*, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Expert Badge, RVN Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device and Air Medal w/Numeral 1. He was an A/C hydraulics mechanic and gunner on 46's during medical runs. He was honorably discharged as a sergeant (E-5), September 1970. Prior to his military service and after his return, he worked for the Kroger Company. He then went to work at the Nickel Plant (INCO), prior to his disability. He had previously served other veterans and their families as a volunteer at the VA Hospital in Huntington, W.Va., and was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed going to or watching movies and loved Midway Hotdogs. He was a member of Ceredo Christian Baptist Church in Ceredo, W.Va. Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at the Reger Funeral Home.