Earl A. Sheridan

Earl A. Sheridan passed away peacefully at The Hearth on Juday Creak in Mishawaka, IN on February 3, 2016 at the age of 84.

Earl is predeceased by his mother and father, Josephine and George Sheridan, and brothers, Charles Calvin and George Edward.

Earl is survived by Bonnie Werntz of South Bend, his devoted partner and companion of 22 years. He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Cheryl Sheridan and son-in-law, Chun-hui Huang, and grandson, Benjamin of Taipei, Taiwan; son, Charles Sheridan, of Dallas, TX; niece, Lynne Bunch, Williamsburg, VA; and Donna Sheridan (divorced) of South Bend, IN. 

Earl was born in Emporia, KA on October 4,1931. He graduated from Emporia High School and earned a BS in Chemistry from College of Emporia. After graduating from Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, he was commissioned Ensign in 1954 and served in the US Navy stationed in Long Beach and San Francisco, CA with tours in the Pacific for three years. Earl then went on to earn an MS in Electrical Engineering from University of California at Berkeley in 1960. He continued his service in the US Navy Reserve and retired as Commander.

In his career as an electrical engineer, he specialized in systems controls. He worked on groundbreaking projects at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory in Livermore, CA; Aerojet General, Sacramento, CA; and Bendix Corporation and Allied Signal, South Bend, IN.

Earl had a penchant for learning and enjoyed studying languages, especially Russian and German. He was a wonderful travel partner and went around the world to visit his children in Asia and Europe. He also traveled extensively in Germany for work and pleasure.

Earl was a licensed private pilot with several ratings and a certified flight instructor in South Bend, where he also taught ground school at Indiana University at South Bend Continuing Education Program. Flying and upgrading the instruments of his Cessna 172 was one of Earl’s greatest joys. He enthusiastically took friends and family on excursions and trips around the region and country over the years, flying with exceptional skill.

As an avid photographer since high school, he worked his way through college taking yearbook portraits and stringing for the Associated Press. He photographed life at sea during his US Navy service and ventured into the streets and villages of post-war Hong Kong and Japan to document daily life during his days at port. In South Bend, Earl was a member of the Michiana Photo Club and photographed for the Indiana Historical Landmarks. He founded Golden Age Photography with partner, Bonnie Werntz. Together they created lasting memories of special events for families in Michiana.

Our happiest memories were when we were on adventures together.

As per his wishes, there will be no visitation or service. A time and place for friends and family to honor and celebrate Earl’s life will be arranged. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Center for Hospice or Hear to Heart Hospice. Condolences for the family may be offered online at http://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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