Luther

Earl Luther, 94, of Cabot, passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Concordia Lutheran Ministries.

Born Feb. 1, 1929, in Ebensburg, Pa., he was the son of Augustine J. Luther and Gertrude M. Sloey Luther.

Earl served in the U.S. Navy in the Reserves from 1947 to1950 and served active duty from 1952 to 1952 aboard the USS Tarawa.

Earl had worked as a men's clothing salesman for Thompson's Men Shop for over 30 years. He owned his own shop Carrolltown Clothing in Carrolltown then moved on to manage the men's department at Hess's in Johnstown until his retirement.

Earl was a lifelong member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Ebensburg, where he sang in the men’s choir and helped coordinate the annual festival. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, including serving as Grand Knight. He was a faithful volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul store. Earl served on the Ebensburg Borough Council for over 35 years and was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 363 in Ebensburg.

Earl enjoyed tying flies and fly fishing, especially at Fisherman's Paradise and Kettle Creek and had memorable trips to Green River in Utah with his grandsons. He shared an annual vacation to Cape May, N.J. with his family.

Earl loved music and after leaving the men's choir and moving to Concordia, he participated in both Christmas and Easter cantatas at the facility and organized many evening singalongs. He enjoyed playing his harmonica and often played for residents at the personal care facility. After retirement, he enjoyed oil painting and painted hundreds of works that he gifted to family and friends.

In 2021 to 2022, he wrote a book “Stories of My Life” about his memories of growing up in Ebensburg. He also wrote poetry and regularly shared his works with others.

Earl had an interest in genealogy and in family history. It was confirmed by the Lutheriden Association of Germany, that he was a direct descendant of Martin Luther.

Surviving are his daughters, Earlene (Michael) Colella, of Indiana, Pa. and Margaret A. (Dan) Mourer, of Chicora; his brother, Milton Ronald Luther, of Mentor, Pa.; four grandchildren, Jesse and Ben Mourer and Amy Colella and Emily (Colella) Deighan; and four great-grandchildren, Arthur and Henry Mourer and Scarlett and Patrick Deighan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 68 years, Marge Boruch Luther; an infant son Earl Jr.; two brothers, Paul and Leo; and his sisters Gerry Wilke and Rose Matrenec.

LUTHER — A memorial service for Earl Luther, who died Wednesday, July 12, 2023, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Chicora United Methodist Church, 203 Central Ave., Chicora. Light refreshments will follow in the downstairs social hall.

A funeral mass will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2023 at Holy Name Catholic Church, 500 N. Julian St., Ebensburg. Condolences can be offered prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church’s narthex. Interment will follow at Holy Name Mausoleum.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg, is assisting the family with arrangements.

For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.