Earl T. Deatrich, Sr.

Earl T. Deatrich Sr., 85, of Schuylkill Haven, passed away Friday at Rest Haven Nursing Home.

Earl was born in Schuylkill Haven, Jan. 29, 1927, a son of the late John A. and Sadie Hoffman Deatrich.

He married Mae Leah Mengel Deatrich, July 17, 1951.

Earl served in the Army as a tech sergeant in The Big Red 1 during World War II.

He managed his family’s business, Dix’s Tire Service, Pottsville, and was later employed by the Schuylkill Haven Police Department as an officer and the Schuylkill Haven Post Office in maintenance.

Earl loved spending time and working as floor manager at Willow Lake when his sister, Dot and her husband, Tom Smith, owned and operated the facility.

He also served on the board of the Union Cemetery, Schuylkill Haven.

He was preceded in death by three sisters, Gladys McLaughlin, Mary Eichenberg and Dorothy Smith; and three brothers, Edward, Robert and George Deatrich.

In addition to his wife, Earl is survived by three sons, Earl T. Deatrich Jr. and wife, Denise, Wernersville, David L. Deatrich and wife, Leslie, Wyomissing, and Albert F. Deatrich and wife, Linda, Schuylkill Haven; six grandchildren, Jessica Deatrich, Wernersville, Amy Barrickman and her husband, Bo, Ardmore, Earl T. “Tommy” Deatrich III and his wife, Laura, King of Prussia, Benjamin Deatrich, Philadelphia, Sarah Deatrich, Wyomissing, and Rebecca Deatrich, Schuylkill Haven; a great-granddaughter, Bryn Barrickman; and a sister, Janet Mimm, McKeansburg.

A Celebration of Life memorial service, followed by military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., 25 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, with James Fidler, pastor officiating. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be privately held at the convenience of the family. At the family’s request, memorial donations in Earl’s name may be sent to the Union Cemetery, P.O. Box 558, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972.