Rev. Earl Statler

The Rev. Earl G. Statler, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 23, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 7, 1917, in Friedheim, Mo., son of Clyde and Bertha Middleton Statler. He and Edna L. Smith were married June 2, 1948, in Cape Girardeau.

Statler was a 1937 graduate of Jackson High School. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and briefly worked at the former Farmer and Merchants Bank in Cape Girardeau. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force, serving as a navigator and bombardier. He was honorably discharged in 1945. In 1948, Statler received a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State University. He then attended Duke University, receiving a master of divinity degree in 1951.

His pastorates included Hayward Methodist Church in Portageville, Mo., New Haven-Senate Grove Charge, St. Clair-Fairview Church, Senath Methodist Church, Salem United Methodist Church, New Madrid-Kewanee Charge and Benton-Oran Charge. He retired in 1983 and became an associate pastor at Grace United Methodist Church, serving until 1987. He was attending both Centenary and Grace United Methodist Church.

He was a member of Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge 672 in Cape Girardeau, its Masonic High 12 and Sword of Bunker Hill; Morley Masonic Lodge 184; American Legion Post 63 in Cape Girardeau; and Disabled American Veterans. He was a Shriner and a 33rd degree Scottish Rite member.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, David Statler of Greenwood, Ind., Timothy Statler of Cape Girardeau; three daughters, Deborah Statler of Dover, Del., Martha Plassmeyer of St. Elizabeth, Mo., Mary Ann Wintermantel of Salinas, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. A Masonic service will be at 7 p.m.

Visitation will continue at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Jeff Long officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery with graveside military honors.