Earl William Black

Earl W. Black, 93, of Danville, passed away on October 13, 2014 at Freedom House (VA Illiana Health Care System), Danville, Illinois. Earl was born November 11, 1920 in Danville, the son of Homer and Nina (Lockwood) Black. On December 14, 1941, he was united in marriage to Ruth E. Seymour in St. Louis. She preceded him in death on January 16, 2006. He was also preceded in death by his brother Willard Black and his sisters Marjorie Trent and Betty Nield. Survivors include his children, Larry (Bev) Black of Danville, Bill (Kathie) Black of Benton, KY, Linda (Tom) Shumaker of Danville and Sue (Mike) Latourelle of Riverton, one sister Donna Mc Kinley and one brother Terry Black, also surviving are grandchildren, Susan (Tim) Gombosch and Barb (Brad) Moews of Danville, Michael (Tammie) Black of Nuevo, Cal, and Rob Shumaker of Lincoln; seven great- grandchildren, Megan and Morgan Black, Tyler and Katie Moews, Kathryn (Randy) Kennedy, Kimberly and Kristen Tuggle; three great- great grandchildren Katelyn, Chase and Kenley Kennedy and a special nephew William B. (Sharon) Black. Earl was a proud veteran serving in the Army in WWII. He was the recipient of a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal and a Bronze Star Medal. After the war Earl and his family lived in Decatur until he returned to Danville in 1951 to work for his brother at Automatic Engineering. He lived in his house on McReynolds Street for 63 years before moving into Freedom House in July of this year. He was a life member of the Illiana Genealogical & Historical Society, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Vermilion County War Museum Society and The American Legion. A celebration of Earls life will be held at 10:00am Saturday October 18, 2014 at Sunset funeral home and cremation center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Friday October 17, 2014, from 4:00pm. until 7:00pm. Memorials may be made in Earls name to The Vermilion County War Museum, Trinitys Food for the Children Program or the Danville Humane Society. Please join Earls family in sharing Pictures, video and memories on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com