Earl H. Richardson

Earl H. Richardson, 92, formerly of Greenwood, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.

Earl Harry Richardson was born on Jan. 20, 1921 in Zion, Ill., the son of Harry and Mildred (Brockway) Richardson. He attended elementary school in Zion and high school in Waukegan, Ill.

Earl enlisted in the U.S. Army Paratroopers, 82nd Airborne Division, 508 Regiment, in October 1942. While on leave, he married the former Rachel Anderson on March 5, 1943 in Zion, and they shared 70 years together. Earl served in the European theatre of operation and was honorably discharged in December 1945.

In 1951, the family moved to Greenwood, where they farmed until 1978. After retiring from farming, Earl was busy in his workshop, known as Letter Craft, making signs and letters for businesses and individuals.

He was a member of Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood, serving as Sunday School teacher, deacon and treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the Greenwood American Legion Post #238 and the Gideons International. In 1989, Earl was a founding board member of Liberty Christian School, Chippewa Falls, and its treasurer for over 20 years.

Earl is survived by: his wife, Rachel Richardson of Chippewa Falls; his daughter, Patricia (John) Spate of Chippewa Falls; a daughter-in-law, Rhoda Richardson of Rockford, Ill.; grandchildren Nathan (Tara) Spate of Jacksonville, Fla., Seth Spate of Winter Garden, Fla., Priscilla (Eric) Cole of Huntsville, Ala., Jim Richardson, Gerry (Karen) Richardson and Shannon (Mark) Wallace, all of Rockford, Ill., and Shari (Vance) Threatt of Pflugerville, Texas; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marjorie (Lyle) Springer of Beach Park, Ill., and Myrtle Ortwig of Loyal; one brother, Glenn (Elsie) Richardson of Zion; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his son, Brent, in 2007; two sisters, Ethel Pushee and Gladys Curran; and one brother, Ernest Richardson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 6 at the Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood. Rev. Rob Love and Rev. David Sommerfeld will co-officiate, and burial will follow in the Greenwood City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eric Cole, Seth Spate, John Spate, Mark Wallace, Nathan Spate and Gerry Richardson. Military rites will be conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post #238. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Memorial donations in honor of Earl will be made by the family at a later date.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, is assisting the family with arrangements.