Earl Fish

ADVANCE, Mo. -- Earl Fish, 87, recently of Owasso, Okla., and formerly of Advance, went to be with his Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

He was born Oct. 18, 1924, near Zalma, Mo., to Earl and Susan Stephens Fish. He was married more than 65 years to the love of his life, Electa Pape Fish.

Earl was first and foremost a carpenter. He learned the trade from his father-in-law in the early years of his marriage and it became his life's work. He also held ownership in Lincoln and McBride Paint and Aluminum Co. in Jackson several years. He was a faithful member of Zalma Missionary Baptist Church. He could have been called farmer, father and friend.

He was a World War II Army veteran.

He is survived by his wife, Electa Pape Fish of Owasso; two sons, Dale G. Fish (Judy) of Zalma, Jon E. Fish (Tracey) of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Helen E. DeClue (Michael) of Owasso; nine grandchildren, Susan Penninger of Austin, Texas, Timothy Fish of Fort Worth, Texas, Andrew Z. DeClue of Little Rock, Ark., Benjamin H. DeClue of Arlington, Va., Erin DeClue of Owasso, Kristal Flentge, Jake Fish, Caitlin Gladden and Nathan Gladden, all of Cape Girardeau.

Also four great-grandchildren, Joshua, Adam and Luke Penninger, Isaac Joseph Flentge; two sisters, Thelma Morgan of Arab, Mo., Eula Schmidt of Cape Girardeau; and a large host of nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Susan Fish of Zalma; three sisters, Ethel Trendle of St. Louis, Kathleen Fish of Arab and Beulah Younger of Advance.

The service will be Saturday at Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.

Visitation with the family will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, with the service immediately following. Interment will be in Berrong Cemetery.

Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to Zalma Missionary Baptist Church, Zalma, MO 63787.