Earl Armstrong

Earl, age 80 passed away on Tuesday morning at The Ambassador in Sidney. Earl "Sonny" Armstrong was born on February 6, 1932 in Carbon, Iowa, the son of Orlo "Butch" and Daisy (Sterns) Armstrong. Earl entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at The Ambassador in Sidney, Iowa surrounded by his loving family. Earl had a long battle with many different chronic medical conditions, but he is now safe at rest, with his Lord. Earl's early years were spent in the Carbon area where he attended school. He loved the sport of horseracing from an early age, a passion which he passed along to his children. He also enjoyed attending the Adams County Speedway. In September of 1949 he was united in marriage to Betty Thompson and to this union four children were born; Kenneth, Betty Jo, John, and Bert. When Betty passed Earl remarried and this union was blessed with the birth of a son Troy. Earl served his country as a soldier with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. During his working years Earl worked in the coal mines near Carbon and Centerville, this was work which he was very proud of and really enjoyed. In the late 1950's Earl rel...[more]

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ted to the Shenandoah area, where he began working in the local nursery's. He eventually became a supervisor for a local nursery until the late 70's. Earl eventually made his home in Essex where he continued to live until his illness forced him into a nursing home. Some of Earl's passions included fishing, riding horses, attending country music shows, playing cards and spending time with his family. In most recent years, Earl came to love his recent weekly visits from his dear friend Jerry Crandall. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Armstrong; sister, Leona Walford; son, John Armstrong; and granddaughter Claire McKinney. Those left to honor is memory include his children, Kenneth Armstrong and wife Michelle of Essex; Betty Jo Phillips and husband Terry of Shenandoah; Bert Armstrong and Troy Armstrong both of Shenandoah; 5 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.