Earl departed this life by his choice, writing he wanted to be reunited with his mother, Mabel Sylvia Anderson, his two departed sons, Rudy and Wendell Anderson and his deceased wife, Jeannine Anderson.
Earl was a traditional, rooted man who lived almost his entire life in Hilmar. He had been a member of Berea Lutheran Church for 77 years until it closed. Recently he’d joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Turlock. He followed in his father’s footsteps in farming/ranching to a small degree. After 29 years of working for TID, he retired. He also worked driving silage truck for the Peterson Brothers. His birth home is still existing across the street from South Hilmar Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his deceased wife, Jeannie, which is 3 miles from his current home in Hilmar.
He was married to Mary (Apt-Thomas) Anderson of Hilmar for 7 years. He is also survived by his step-son, Chad Thomas and his wife Amy of Denair and step-daughter Tiffany Thomas of San Francisco. His brother, Lloyd Anderson of Ettrick, Wisconsin, also survives him. As well, he has other family through his wife Mary; step-daughter Nada Ferris and her husband, Bruce of Hayward; step-daughter Mary Alvarenga and her husband Julio of Los Banos and their daughters, Felicia and Ayla, Theresa Apt and her daughter, Natalia, and her grandson, Paul Apt of Klamath Falls, OR.
He was a member of Hilmar-Irwin-Stevinson Lion’s Club, serving as Historian for many years. Earl also belonged to the Hilmar Historical Society, the Los Banos Golden Age Club, and the Fresno Grangers.
Earl was a devoted John Deere fan, visualizing and creating many horseshoe tractors, crosses, doo-dads, a rocking chair and bench, bookcases, picture frames, etc. One of his tractors was featured in Farm & Ranch Living Magazine in their Dec./Jan. 2014 issue. For enjoyment, Earl loved going to Reno and Casinos.
The viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 27th from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Chapel, 286 W. Main St., Turlock. Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 640 Minaret Ave, Turlock. Nathan Glenn, a dear friend, will sing Earl’s favorite hymn. Following the burial at South Hilmar Cemetery District at Tegner and Crane Rds, east side of Tegner, all are invited back to church for fellowship. Officiating will be Pastor Ron Youngdale of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Donations may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Whitehurst, Norton & Dias Funeral Service of Turlock, (209) 634-4904, www.whitehurstnorton
diasfunerals.com
