Frederick C. Earnhart

ELKHART -- Frederick C. "Fred" Earnhart, 78, of Elkhart, died at 7:50 p.m. Wednesday (April 9, 2008) in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, South Bend, after a brief illness.

He was born Dec. 17, 1929, in Elkhart to Harry R. and Arabelle (Sutton) Earnhart. He married Mary L. Warner in Three Rivers, Mich., on Nov. 15, 1958.

She survives along with three sons, Doug K. (Dusty) Earnhart and David B. (Jackie) Earnhart, both of Elkhart, and Chris S. (Tag) Earnhart of Greenwood; one daughter, Tamara L. Weidner of Elkhart; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Mr. Earnhart was preceded in death by two infant sons, Frederick Clair Jr. and Edward Charles Earnhart; and a grandson, Zachary Thomas Earnhart.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, and one hour prior to Tuesday's 11 a.m. funeral service at the funeral home. Pastor Frank Ramirez of Everett Church of the Brethren, Everett, Pa., will officiate. Burial will follow in Prairie Street Cemetery, Elkhart, with the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and Elkhart DAV Chapter 19 rendering military graveside honors.

Mr. Earnhart spent more than 43 years on the railroad, working for New York Central, Penn Central and Conrail before retiring in the early 1990s. He worked in several areas, but ended up at the Elkhart Rail Yard as a clerk. He was the sixth generation of railroad workers in his family.

Mr. Earnhart also owned Fred's Mower Service, a small-engine repair shop, for many years. He enjoyed building and flying model airplanes, making model antique cars and collecting model trains and train paraphernalia.

He was an avid fisherman and gardener who liked to share his produce with Faith Mission and Church Community Services. Mr. Earnhart was a deacon and a trustee at Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren and attended Grace Brethren Church. He was a 1949 graduate of Concord High School and a U.S. Army Korean War veteran.

Memorials may be given to Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren or Grace Brethren Church. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.

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