Earl Edward Burdette

Earl Edward Burdette passed away peacefully on September 16, 2025, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, at the age of 86. A master barber, champion pie baker, nature lover and beloved family man, Earl led a vibrant life marked by hard work, ingenuity, and dedication to those he loved. Earl was born in Elroy, Wisconsin on December 25, 1938, to Ellis and Evelyn (Weiland) Burdette, and was preceded in death by his loving wife of almost 60 years, Diane (Ruta) Burdette. He is survived by his daughters, Dawn Burdette Crandall (Peter Crandall), and Deanna Burdette McCarty (Patrick McCarty), and his cherished grandchildren: Lauren and Natalie Crandall and Matthew and Madelyn McCarty.

A proud graduate of Elroy High School (1956), Earl completed his barber training in LaCrosse in 1957 and went on to spend over 62 years as a master barber. He owned and operated his own business and formed lifelong friendships with countless customers.

Earl met his wife Diane on a blind date in 1961; introduced to each other by her childhood best friend Kay, and they hit it off immediately. What a surprise it was when Earl and Diane found out that they both had Ford convertibles. His was black and hers was red. They were married in 1962 in Milwaukee, WI. They made their home in Milwaukee before settling into their newly built home in 1964 in Oak Creek, where Earl lived for almost 60 years.

Earl had a wide range of hobbies and interests but pie baking became one of Earl's most celebrated talents. Not only did he claim two Wisconsin State pie-baking titles, but his Door County Cherry Pie won the National Best Appearance Award at the Crisco National Pie Baking Championships in Atlanta, Georgia. His recipe was featured in Good Housekeeping Magazine, a special Crisco cookbook, and was highlighted in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and on "Good Morning America."

At the age of 40, Earl took up running and participated in numerous marathons, including the Milwaukee Lakefront and Lake Geneva Marathons. He qualified for the prestigious Boston Marathon but, unfortunately, had to forgo the opportunity due to a foot injury. He also became an avid biker often riding his bike to and from the barbershop. He loved having his dogs run short distances with him.

Known for his expertise in gardening, Earl grew a wide variety of vegetables and fruits including his absolute favorite-tomatoes. One year, he planted 57 tomato plants of different varieties. Earl often shared his produce with friends and customers. He also experimented with grafting apples, even planting a mini apple tree orchard in his daughter's yard.

His love of nature extended to all living things-animals, birds, insects, and trees. He was a passionate bird lover and could identify nearly every bird species. He was an avid reader of books and magazines revolving around his hobbies, so that he could continuously grow in his knowledge and skills with each hobby. Earl was also knowledgeable about all types of trees and was a talented carpenter and landscaper, capable of creating nearly anything from wood: making a beautiful dog sled for his daughter's Samoyed dogs to pull, making fireplace mantles and constructing special touches to each of their homes and yards. He single-handedly installed an in-ground pool in his backyard for Diane, their daughters and grandchildren. Earl also shared countless hours with his grandchildren, teaching them about animals, playing catch, planting a garden, and watching them swim. He attended every game, recital and event that he could.

Growing up on a working farm, Earl developed an appreciation for farm tractors. He restored and rebuilt a 1953 Ford Golden Jubilee Tractor, which he used for various projects, including plowing his garden, grading lots, and giving grandchildren rides down the street.

Earl's barber shop was a place where friendships were built over the course of his 62-year career. Many of his clients had been with him for decades, some for over 40 years. Even at age 80, Earl continued cutting hair and connecting with his loyal customers.

Earl was not only a skilled craftsman, but he approached every aspect of life with dedication and care. He didn't just bake pies; he won national awards. He didn't simply run marathons; he qualified for Boston. He didn't just plant tomatoes; he grew enough to feed an entire city. He didn't just cut hair; he created lifelong bonds. Above all, Earl was an incredibly loving and devoted family man. Among his greatest accomplishments were the moments he shared with his family.

Earl was more than just a husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was a sincere, kind, funny, and empathetic person always up for a challenge and a new project. His son-in-law Pat would often thank Earl for his help, and he would reply, "No need to thank me; I loved every minute of it." Everyone loved every minute spent with Earl. He was sincerely a best friend to all and will be missed every minute of every day.

The family would like to thank the staff at Azura Memory Care, Oak Creek for their compassionate and fun-loving care of our father and grandfather, known as "Earl the Pearl" to his caregivers.

A private memorial service will be held in Earl's honor. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Earl's name to the Wisconsin Humane Society.

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