DENVER – Earl “Sonny” Lemoine Grindle, 83, of North Manchester, died at 9:50 p.m. March 12, 2013, in Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester. He was born June 23, 1929, in Arcadia, Mich., to Leo Dale and Gladys Driscoll Grindle. On Nov. 10, 1978, he married Carol Wrightsman, who survives. He attended First Brethren Church, North Manchester, and served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53 as a communications officer at Fort Wainwright, Fairbanks, Alaska. He was a farmer east of Manchester most of his life. In 1983 he and his wife opened “Earl’s Place” in Laketon, retiring in 1999. Surviving are five children: Debbie (and spouse Terry) Hudson, Silver Lake; Rick (and spouse Nanette) Grindle, Wabash; Jeff Grindle and Jim (and spouse Kelly) Grindle, all of Pierceton; and Jill (and spouse Kris) Slater, Claypool; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and an adopted stepdaughter, Tracy Gillespie, Kendallville. He was preceded in death by a sister and a stepson. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Brethren Church, North Manchester, with Pastors Ron Burns and Kurt Stout officiating. Burial will be in Trailkill Cemetery, Swayzee. Calling is from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the church. McClain Funeral Home, Denver, is in charge of arrangements. ***** Condolences may be sent via www.mcclainfh.com
