Earl Mckenzie

Earl E. McKenzie, 79 of Beardstown, died Monday, July 27, 2015 at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville.

He was born October 7, 1935 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Arden and Mamie Perry McKenzie. He married Doris French on June 24, 1960 at Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church in rural Virginia.

He is survived by his wife Doris McKenzie of Beardstown; two daughters Jennifer (husband Eric) Meyer and Jill (husband Darin) Paul of Beardstown; four granddaughters Ashlee and Allison Paul, and Jessica and Sydney Meyer; and one sister Jean Koch of Dardenne Prairie, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Ardene Elmore, and one brother Jimmy McKenzie.

Earl graduated from Beardstown High School in the class of 1953. He had worked for Schultz-Baujan Flour Mill in Beardstown until 1965 and then, up until his death, he was known for his carpentry and painting talents. He was a faithful attendee of Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church. Earl enjoyed bowling and has played for over 60 years in Beardstown, Rushville, and Jacksonville. He served on the Beardstown Volunteer Fire Department for forty years, and for fifteen of those years was also the Beardstown Ambulance Department Chief.

Earl loved watching his granddaughters sports activities, was very active in serving his community, and was a “rabid” St. Louis Cardinals fan. His greatest joy was being with his family. He will always be remembered for his kind heart, his contagious smile, and his quick wit.

Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Friday, July 31, 2015 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Burial will be in the Beardstown City Cemetery. An informal visitation will be held from 5-6 PM Thursday, and the family will meet friends from 6-8 PM Thursday at the memorial home.

Memorials have been suggested to Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church or Beardstown Volunteer Fire Department.

Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.