Earle G. Sell

IRONWOOD, Mich. — Earle G. Sell, 87, of Ironwood, died Saturday, March 16, 2013, in Ironwood.

He was born Jan. 13, 1926, in Ironwood, son of the late Carl and Laura (Dinner) Sell. Earle attended Ironwood schools and graduated from the Luther L. Wright High School with the class of 1944.

He was married to the former Eileen Newman on June 12, 1948, by the Rev. W. Hewton Ward, in Ironwood. She preceded him in death on April 22, 1992.

During World War II, Earle served in the U.S. Army from July 11, 1944, until July 7, 1946, in the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe battles and campaigns. He was decorated with the Victory Medal, European African Eastern Theater Ribbon with three bronze battle stars, three overseas bars and the Army of Occupation Medal. Earle was a tank driver assigned to the 702 Tank Battalion attached to the 80th Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge. He was also responsible for opening the doors of the concentration camps.

Earle was a member of the Ironwood American Legion Post #5.

In Ironwood, Earle owned and operated with his brother Leland Sell’s Pool Hall on Aurora Street. He was a carpenter, worked in construction and was a cab driver. He was employed by the U.S. Forest Service and for 20 years was the custodian for the city of Ironwood and Ironwood Carnegie Library, retiring in 1991.

Earle enjoyed reading, collecting, antiques and gardening. He loved to walk in his yard and take care of his plum, apple and chokecherry trees and grapevines. He was especially proud of his 1940 Buick. He would enjoy going to the Uptown Cafe for coffee and meeting friends throughout town. He wrote a book titled “Ironwood and the Surrounding Area: Like It Usta Was.” Earle also designed coin guides and mining maps.

He is survived by a son, Gary Sell, of Ironwood; three daughters, Sandra (Charles) Gauthier, of Lac du Flambeau, Wis., Carol (James Jr.) Zak, of Bruce, Wis., and Arlene (Kyrle) Hilgendorf, of Tomahawk, Wis .; a son-in-law, Dale Eilo, of Milwaukee; a brother, Ron (Miriam) Sell, of Gile; a sister, Marilyn (Michael) Ercoli, of Bessemer; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, Earle was preceded in death by a daughter, Lori Eilo; and a brother, Leland “Bud” Sell.

Funeral services will be held at the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home, 635 E. Ayer St., Ironwood, on Wednesday, March 20, at 11 a.m. The Rev. Jean B. Rencontre will officiate.

Earle’s family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Full military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Ironwood Post #5 Honor Guard.

Burial will take place in the spring at the Riverside Cemetery.

Range Funeral Service Inc. and the Ketola-Burla Funeral Home of Ironwood is in charge of arrangements.