Earl H. Sloan

Monday, October 19, 2009

Earl H. Sloan, 98, of Greencastle, formerly of Indianapolis, died Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at Hickory Creek at Sunset.

Born on June 21, 1911 in Boone County, he was the son of Roy and Pearl Edith Hysong Sloan. He married Dorothy May Rose on Aug. 6, 1930, and they lived in Pike Township for 37 years. Dorothy preceded him in death in October of 1980, shortly after their 50th wedding anniversary. He married Thelma Maxine Vaughn Cummings on June 24, 1981, having been married and residing in Greencastle for 27 years.

He worked many jobs, including painter and carpenter with his father, and later operated the Sinclair Service Station in Thorntown during the early 1940s. He went to work for Rock Island Refinery in 1942, beginning with its initial construction, and then became a labor foreman for 32 years, retiring in 1973. Nothing made him happier than a few 2x4s and nails, unless perhaps it was a fishing pole.

Mr. Sloan was an active member of the Hanna Street Baptist Church, Greencastle; a former deacon at the Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapols; and former member of the Putnamville Baptist Church. He served the Lord in many ways, including planning, building, and serving in numerous churches.

He was active in many civic organizations, including Hosbrook Masonic Lodge the Pike Township Fathers 300 Club. He spent countless hours serving at the Greencastle Senior Citizens Community Center, including he and Thelma delivering Meals on Wheels to elderly people of Putnam County, many of whom were younger than they. He was active for many years with the Senior Citizens Kitchen Band, playing the water jug, performing for many audiences, including visiting tourists, local civic organizations and numerous nursing and retirement homes. In 1998, he received the Outstanding Service to the Community Award from AARP.

He is survived by his wife Thelma; his children Donna Jo Mendenhall of Trafalgar, Stephen Sloan and wife Chris of Martinsville, Jane Ellen Sharpe of Brownsburg and Victor Earl Sloan and wife Rebecca of Indianapolis; his Greencastle family, stepdaughters, Judith Custis of Greencastle and Ann Mowery and husband Robert of Linton; eight grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Dorothy; five brothers; a half brother; and two sisters.

Funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home with the Rev. Patrick Smith officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lincoln Memory Gardens Cemetery in Zionsville.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Attn: Tribute Gifts Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, N.Y. 10008-0780 or donations@mjff.org

Condolences may be shared with the family c/o www.bittlesandhurt.com