Earl A. Samson

Earl A. Samson, age 70, of Burlington, died Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo as the result of a logging accident at his property on . Earl was born on June 7, 1940 in Marshall to Donald I. and Geraldine "Sue" (Evy) Samson. He attended Marshall schools. Earl lived in Marshall until 1966 when he moved his family to Tekonsha Township. He was married on May 27, 1966 to Mary Lou Halbert in Battle Creek. She preceded him in death on July 22, 1996. Earl served the Tekonsha School District as Janitorial Supervisor for 29 years until his retirement in 1997. He also drove school bus for Tekonsha school for many of those years. Earl was an outdoorsman, enjoying deer hunting, wood cutting and especially fishing. He was currently in the process of getting his "condo" ready for this year's deer season! Earl camped for many years at Angel Cove Campground near Coldwater. His dog Buddy held a special in Earl's heart to the point that his friend Arletta sometimes felt somewhat jealous of Buddy! Earl's children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always held closest to his heart. Any time with them was very special to him. Surviving are his son Donald J. "John" Samson of Burlington and daughter Linda R. (Lance) Thomas of Tekonsha; his grandchildren Kris (Jodi) Lambert, Daniel (Rhonda) Lambert and Ashley Samson; his 4 great-grandchildren, Tyler Goyman, Cody Lambert, Katlin Lambert and Gwendolyn Lambert; a sister Minia Truax of Albion; a very special friend Arletta Richar of Tekonsha; nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Marian Roberts and Shirley Osborn. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 723 US27 North, Marshall on Thursday from 2PM – 9PM where family will be present to greet friends and share memories 2PM-4PM and 6PM-8PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 22 at 11AM at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Pastor Michael Donahue of Four Winds Christian Fellowship officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery in Tekonsha. A fellowship will follow the cemetery committal service at Union United Church Of Christ in Tekonsha. Memorials may be directed to Lifespan Hospice. Assistance available at Kempf Funeral Home.