Earl H. Sorlie

Earl H. Sorlie, 93, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, passed away there Tuesday, June 25, 2013.

He was born May 3, 1920 in Jewell, Iowa, a son of Einar and Marion Hanson Sorlie.  He married Anna Stephens November 13, 1954.

Earl was a 1938 graduate of Marshfield High School, Marshfield, WI.  In 1939, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at City Point, WI.  He was a Veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater of Operations.  In 1943, Earl was with a unit that participated in the Buna Gona campaign in New Guinea and was awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds he received during the fighting in that campaign.  He was also the recipient of 3 bronze battle stars.

Earl was a 1949 graduate of Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD.  He was employed by the United Methodist Publishing Company for 30 years, retiring in 1984 as a shipping clerk.

Earl was a member of Stone United Methodist Church and was a former board member of the John Brown Society.  He had a great love of history and enjoyed square dancing, quilting, and playing ping pong.

Survivors, in addition to his loving wife Anna of 58 years, include numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Victor Sorlie and a sister, Harriet Hotsenpiller.

Calling hour will be Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m. at McCracken Chapel in Cribbs Home, Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville where a memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. with the Rev. Sarah Roncolato, Pastor of Stone United Methodist Church, officiating.

Interment will be in Reno Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials may be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St., Meadville, PA 16335 or the American Heart Assn. (for the research of the St. Jude’s Mechanical Valve), 823 Filmore Ave., Erie, PA 16505.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.