Ray Eugene Earle

Ray Eugene Earle, 86, of Warsaw, Indiana, died on 9/24/2010 at 4:30 pm at Roudabush VA Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. He was born on December 9, 1923 in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Ray was the son of Howard and Pearl (Manning) Earl.He grew up in the Tazwell,Tennessee area and lived in the Greenville, Tennessee area as a young adult.Ray was in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving on two different LST's (Landing Ship Tanks or Transports). His ship was in the Japanese harbor at the same time the treaty between the United States and Japan was being signed aboard the Missouri.He worked as an electrician after leaving the Navy, spending most of his working life at R.R. Donnelley and Sons, retiring in 1990 after 31 years.He was a lifelong musician who enjoyed playing in many Country/Bluegrass bands, writing music and operating a small recording studio and publishing company out of his home. He was the manager and publisher for a group of Bluegrass musicians named “The Barrier Brothers” along with many other local artists. He recorded the demo tape that Crystal Gayle sent to the recording studio in Nashville before she became famous.On October 20, 1946, he married Frances Anderson of Louisville, Kentucky. She preceded him in death on March 29, 2009.Surviving are three daughters: Gloria (Ron) Wigent of Michigan CityDonna (Bert) Goble of Winona LakeLinda Lent of AtwoodOne son: Wes Earle of Spartanburg, South Carolinasisters: Annabelle (Maynard) Lambert, Mary Lou (Ed) Schroff,, Barbara (Don) Drudge, Frances (Jim) Cormican, Lucille Sorensen and two brothers, Frank (Karna) Earl and Lee (Mela) Earle. One sister-in-law, Carolyn (Robert) Bolton of Louisville, Kentucky.Also surviving are 13 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his sisters, Edith (Elmer) Johnson, Thelma (Lloyd) Smelser, Myrtle (Gerald) Ream, a brother Elbert Earl and 5 infant brothers. Services will be held at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, Indiana on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 10:00 am with Pastor David Cripe officiating.. Calling hours will be 2:00 - 4:00 and 6:00 - 8:00 pm at the funeral chapel on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. Burial will be at Palestine Cemetery, Palestine, Indiana with military honors.. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, Indiana is in charge of arrangements.