Earl Wilson Gratrix

Earl Wilson Gratrix, 80, of Bremen, IN passed away Thursday, February 16, 2017 at his home.  Earl was born in Coldwater, Ontario, Canada on December 18, 1936 to the late Harold and Jessie (Wilson) Gratrix.  On June 3, 1967 in Wakarusa, IN, Earl married Beth Ann (Bontrager) Gratrix, who survives.

In addition to his wife of nearly 50 years, Earl is survived by his sons, Stephen (Andrea) Gratrix and Jeffrey (Mentora) Gratrix, both of South Bend, IN; his daughter, Lori (Mark) Schuck of Goshen, IN; six grandchildren, Heidi, Eden, Bellamy, Brinkley, Rachel and Courtney; and his sister, Margaret (Sebastian) Caradonna of Barrie, Ontario, Canada.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-mother, Margaret (Emms) Gratrix.

Earl worked for Beaver Lumber Company in seven locations in Ontario for seven years after which he enrolled at Bob Jones University earning a BS degree in Business Administration.  Shortly after moving to Wakarusa, IN Earl joined Holiday Rambler Corporation where he worked for 25 years in purchasing, Computer Systems and Holiday’s Travel Club.  He was a member of the South Bend Purchasing Association. 

Earl was a member of Community Baptist Church where he served in the maintenance and custodial areas after retiring from Holiday Rambler.  Along the way, he was a member of the CBC Advisory Board.  Following that he formed a small business called One Man and a Trailer, where he helped people organize their homes. 

Services for Earl will take place on Monday, February 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Street, South Bend.  Friends may visit with the family on Sunday, February 19, 2017 at Community Baptist Church from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.  Burial will take place at Olive West Cemetery in Elkhart, IN.

Contributions in memory of Earl Wilson Gratrix may be made to Community Baptist Church, 5715 Miami Street; South Bend, IN 46614 or to Pacific Garden Mission, 1458 South Canal Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607.

Online condolences may be left for the Gratrix family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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