Earl Boyd

Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Vandalia, Missouri 63382.
Officiating will be: Rev. Bob Hoehn.
Music provided by: Tara Peters - pianist & soloist.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery with full military honors.
Pallbearers: Lucas Peters, Gabe Peters, Eric Grawe, Ryan Grawe, Kurt LaBruyere and Jay Boyd. Honorary pallbearers: Kyle Grawe, Samuel Middleton, Kenneth Herlinger, Glen McDonald, Doug Wood, Shannon Culwell Jr., Leslie Morris and Wayne Laird.

Lawrence Earl Boyd passed away at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at his home south of Vandalia. Earl was a 1949 Vandalia High School graduate and served his country in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1951 to 1953. He continued farming upon his return from the service, a vocation he began at the age of seven. Earl was a lifelong rural Vandalia resident and attended the First Baptist Church in Vandalia. He had served on the MFA Board of Directors; received the Master Farmer Award in 1987; trained border collie stock dogs; enjoyed fishing, golfing, gardening, dancing and walking. In 1990, Earl was recognized for having the largest Swamp White Oak tree in the state of Missouri in his front yard. He was a devoted father and loved to spend time with his family and his favorite past-time of farming.

Born: September 13, 1930 in rural Vandalia, Missouri the son of James William and Katie Louisa (Morris) Boyd.

Married: Ruth Ann Thomas on April 12, 1958 in Laddonia, Missouri; she preceded on June 28, 1962; he married Joann Galloway Middleton on January 28, 1972 in Vandalia; she preceded on April 2, 1997.

Survivors include: one son, Dean R. Middleton of rural Vandalia; four daughters: Marsha L. (Middleton) and husband, Rod Peters of Hannibal, Missouri; Marie A. (Boyd) and husband, Steven Steinhardt of Edwardsville, Illinois; Rita J. (Middleton) and husband, Paul Grawe of Quincy, Illinois; Marian K. Boyd of Glen Carbon, Illinois; one brother, James G. Boyd of rural Vandalia; one sister, Margie J. Burnett of rural Vandalia; nine grandchildren: Nicole LaBruyere of Hermann, Missouri; Lucas Peters of Hannibal; Gabe Peters of Columbia, Missouri; Eric Grawe of Quincy; Ryan Grawe of Quincy; Kyle Grawe of Quincy; Allyson Arns of Edwardsville, Illinois; Andrea Arns of Edwardsville; Samuel Middleton of rural Vandalia; two great-grandchildren: Josie Peters and Abram Peters both of Hannibal; also survived by nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by: parents; a special friend, Betty Wood.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to the Community Loving Care Hospice, 914 W. Main Street, Bowling Green, Missouri 63334.