Earl W. Wallace, 86, of Circleville, passed away April 5, 2012 at Circleville Care and Rehab. He was born September 3, 1925 in Circleville, the youngest child of Ed and Stella Wallace, who operated the Wallace Bakery for 41 years in Circleville. Earl graduated from Circleville High School, Class of 1943. After graduation, he left Circleville to join the United States Marine Corps to serve his country. He was a veteran of World War II. At the age of 19, Earl watched the flag being raised on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. Following his service in Iwo Jima he was part of the occupation forces within 30 days after the second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.
“From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli” begins the Marine Corps Hymn. Earl followed his own version of that mantra….”from the banks of Hargus Creek to Iwo Jima, to Nagasaki, Japan to the wilds of Wyoming and back.” He served on the Circleville Police Department in the early 1950’s, and at various times when he was needed, returned as a dispatcher. In the 1960’s, he and Odra operated “The Saddle Shop”. In the early 1970’s Earl decided to embark on a new career and headed west to Wyoming to attend saddlery school to learn the art of the saddlery trade. Using those skills, he personally made over 25 saddles, some of which remain in Pickaway County today. He lived in Wyoming for a number of years, where he and Odra owned and operated two saddlery businesses. Upon returning to Circleville in 1982, he became the Pickaway County Wildlife Officer until his retirement in 1990.
He lived the American dream-he was a soldier, a policeman, a cowboy, and a true gentleman.
Earl is survived by his daughter, Jan Wallace (Don) Vehlewald, St. Louis, MO; sister, Marvene Thompson, Mesa, AZ; extended family, Warren and Janet Spangler; nieces, nephews and many good friends. He was preceded in death by wives Odra Wallace in 1998 and Barbara Green in 1962; his parents and brothers, Ralph, Carl and Paul Wallace.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, April 12, 2012 at Forest Cemetery with Pastor Greg Swann officiating. Military honors will be provided by AMVETS Post 2256 Honor Guard.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Circleville Care and Rehabilitation and Heartland Hospice for their care and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pickaway County Humane Society, PO Box 13263, Circleville, OH 43113 or Heartland Hospice, 6500 Busch Blvd. Suite 210, Columbus, OH 43229. Defenbaugh-Wise-Schoedinger Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wallace family. Visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences.