Earl L. Gregory, 76

Funeral services for Earl L. Gregory 76, of Blair, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2002, at Good Shepherd Chapel in Blair. Interment will be at 2 p.m. in the Circle Mound Cemetery in Rising City. Mr. Gregory died Friday, July 12, at Good Shepherd Home in Blair.

Earl Leroy Gregory was born Aug. 21, 1925, in Rising City to Walter Edward and Tressie Myrtle (Rhynalds) Gregory.

He worked in Ottumwa, Iowa, and Lincoln until November of 1943, when he was inducted into the U. S. Navy.

In the Navy, he spent the first year in basic training and service schools in Farragut, Idaho, Seattle, Wash., and San Diego, Calif. After graduating from service schools, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Vinton, and spent the next ½ years in the Pacific Theater between Hawaii and Okinawa, Japan.

In early 1946, when the ship was to be decommissioned, he left it and was discharged at Norman, Okla. During his time in the service, he completed a correspondence course in applied electricity. After his discharge, he worked in the electrical and electronics field in Rising City and Omaha.

On March 26, 1950, he married Evelyn Mae Darnall in Rising City. The couple had three children.

Mr. Gregory continued in the electronics trade for several years, and eventually worked as a finish carpenter and cabinet maker, both for himself and for others. Wood and woodworking were his lifetime interest and avocation.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; three children and their spouses, Michael James and Charlene Gregory of Atlanta, Ga., Patrick Alan and Elaine Gregory of Blair, and Kelly Jean and Grant Sanley of Pittsburg, Kan.; two sisters, Clara Huper of David City and Joan Dietrich of Arizona; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, plus several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.