Earl Jesse Minard, 88, of Mansfield, Missouri, died Monday, March 9, at Cox Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, due to complications of a stroke.

He was born October 30, 1926, in Waterloo, Iowa, son of Carl and Sophia (Wackerhahn) Minard. He married Norma Jean Harris in 1947 and they were later divorced. He married Ellen Scharnhorst May 6, 1956, in Waterloo.

Earl worked at Rath Packing Company and later John Deere, retiring in 1985.

Earl could play any string instrument by ear and played for the Floyd Warren Orchestra in Waterloo for many years as well as in Branson, Missouri after he and Ellen moved there in 1990. He was a well respected musician and enjoyed teaching many people how to play an instrument.

Earl will also be remembered as teaching his children the importance of faith in God, integrity and working hard.

He is survived by: his wife Ellen; three daughters: Suzanne (Larry) Bowles of New Concord, Ohio; Tammy (Randy) High of Waterloo; Denise (Todd) Prange of Mansfield, Missouri; two sons, Steven (Gitte) of Picayune, Mississippi and Scott (Anne) of Forsythe, Missouri; ten grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; two brothers; and a sister.

Earl was preceded in death by: his parents, one brother (William), one sister (Wilma Moyer), a grandson, and a great-grandson.