Marjorie Harpole Earls, 85, of Mt. Vernon died 9:13 p.m. April 23, 2005, at St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.

She was born Aug. 25, 1919, in Jefferson County, a daughter of the Rev. Marsh and Izetta (Pemberton) Harpole.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, with Troy Warner officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 8 a.m. Tuesday until the funeral hour at the funeral home.

Mrs. Earls was a sales clerk at G. C. Murphy store for several years. She then was a cashier at the Mammoth Department Store until the downtown store closed. She then worked at the Mammoth at Times Square Mall until her retirement. Mrs. Earls was a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon and sang in the choir. She was a member of Vernell Rebekah Lodge 296, where she served as Noble Grand and in several other offices. She was past president of the Mt. Vernon Business and Professional Women?s Club. She was also a former member of the Federated Women's Club in Mt. Vernon and for many years served as a volunteer with the Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary.

Mrs. Earls is survived by a daughter, Deanna Diel and husband Ron of Carbondale; two sons, David Reeves and wife Shirley of Waltonville and Verner Earls and wife Lisa of Mt. Vernon; six grandchildren, Tyler Reeves and wife Melissa of Waltonville, Shane Reeves and wife Daphne of Mt. Vernon, John Reeves and wife Tricia of Belle Rive, Brian Diel and wife Lora of Succasunna, N.J., Brett Diel and wife Katie of Carterville and Lauren Zedalis of Mt. Vernon; and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and three sisters. For more information, you may contact Johnston Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon at 242-0604.

Source: Register-News, Mt Vernon IL
Date: April 27, 2005
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman