Earl Culver, Sr

Earl C. Culver, Sr., age 101 years of Niles, Michigan died at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Riveridge Manor in Niles.

He was born on April 4, 1913 in Nelson County, Kentucky to John and Mildred (Bowman) Culver. He has lived in Niles since 1947, coming from Bardstown, Kentucky. He was employed by the Michigan Central Railroad, and retired from its successor, the New York Central after thirty-two years of service. In retirement, he was employed at the former Pacesetter Bank and its successors, and worked with his wife at their Culver’s Drive-In.

Mr. Culver was a Charter Member of the Huntly Memorial Baptist Church in Niles, and had also attended the First Missionary Church, Hope Community Church, and Pokagon United Methodist Church. He was a member of the United Transportation Union. He enjoyed traveling, and had visited Europe, the Holy Land, Alaska, and the other 48 continental states.

On December 20, 1936 in Nelsonville, Kentucky he married the former Mary L. Muncy with whom he celebrated the seventieth anniversary of their wedding prior to her death on March 19, 2007. He was also preceded in death by a grandson, David Miller, and by his sister, Hazel Sorrell and brothers, Homer Culver and Victor Culver.

Surviving family includes his children, Linda (& Gene) Miller of Niles, Earl (& Maribelle) Culver, Jr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan, David (& Ileen) Culver of Holland, Michigan, and Randal (& Alma) Culver of Panama City, Florida; grandchildren LuAnn (& Ron) Unger, Duane (& Mari-Clare) Culver, Brenda (& Mark) Gonyer, Lisa (& Dean) Woodard, Rachel (& Bob) Hill, Stefen (& Angie) Culver, Tammy Talamonpi, and Randy Culver; twenty-six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Earl Culver, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 21, 2014 at The Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon, Michigan with Pastor Sean Kidd of Pokagon United Methodist Church officiating. Committal rites will follow in the churchyard, with interment privately at Mission Hills.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles and Monday, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Contributions in memory of Earl and Mary Culver may be made to The Old Rugged Cross Foundation.

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