Earl Humbard

Earl E. Humbard, 95, died March 6, 2011. He was born on April 11, 1915 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to the late Adon and Bertha Humbard. A member of the Greatest Generation, Earl served his country during World War II with the U.S. Army Second Division in the European theater. He landed in Normandy, fought in Central France, at the Battle of Brest, the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of Rhineland. In 1943, he married Mary Louise Stinson. They made their home in Little Rock before retiring in Hot Springs. Earl was employed at the Arkansas Democrat newspaper for many years, retiring in 1970. Earl served as deacon in several Baptist churches and at the time of his death was Deacon Emeritus at First Baptist Church of Royal, Arkansas. An avid student of the Bible, Earl touched the lives of numerous men in the Sunday school classes he taught. In addition to his parents Earl was preceded in death by, his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Mary Louise; his brother, Emil Humbard; two sisters, Velma Dean Humbard and Edith Peterson and her husband Jack; and a nephew, Gary Strain. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Martha Humbard of Hot Springs Village and by his daughter and son-in-law, Mike and Brenda Pearce of Huntsville, Alabama. Also surviving are three grandsons; Dr. Stephen Humbard and his wife Alicia of Maumelle, Stuart Pearce of Collage Station, Texas, and Adam Pearce of Seattle, Washington; and two great-grandchildren, Taylor Rose Humbard and Aidan Wesley Humbard. Other survivors are his sisters, Imogene Humbard of Excelsior Springs, Missouri and Wanda Peterson and her husband Charles of Seattle, Washington; nieces Jana Hruby and husband Dave of Seattle, Washington, Laura Zimmerman and her husband Chuck of Raymore, Missouri; and nephew Brian Peterson of San Diego, California. The Humbard family would like to express our gratitude to the many people who so lovingly helped us during Earl's final illness. We want to especially thank our Baptist Hospice "angels", Dee Dee Perry and Elizabeth Vines. A special thanks also goes to Christina Onecic, his VA foster home caregiver who was so loving and kind during our father's final day. We would also like to thank the staff of the VA Foster Home system for their excellent service in making Earl's last days comfortable. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 pm at the Gazebo in Pinecrest Cemetery under the direction if Huson Funeral Home in Little Rock. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Royal on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Royal, 7402 Albert Pike Rd. Royal, Arkansas 71968.