Earl L. Courtney, Jr.

Earl L. Courtney, Jr., 85, of Odon, Indiana, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Odon. He was born on January 28, 1933 in Knox County, Indiana to Earl L. and Mildred Isabelle (Poor) Courtney. Jr. married Marcia Kay Smeltzer on June 30, 1956. They raised three children, Marc, Debbie and Shelly.

Jr. graduated in 1952 from Elnora High School, then went to work for PSI, only to be called to serve in the US Army. He was stationed at Colorado Springs, Colorado during the Korean War Era. After serving his country, he was welcomed back to PSI, where he retired in 1995 as a Construction Supervisor with 43 years of service. Jr. was a member of the Elnora Christian Church, Elnora Masonic Lodge #616 F&AM, Elnora American Legion Post #245, Odon VFW Post #9627 and the great 1951 Elnora Owls Basketball Team that reached the finals of the Wabash Valley Tourney. He loved raising cattle and horses on his seven acres in Elnora, gardening, and fishing with Gary, Clete and so many others at the Elnora site, he was a faithful Bobby Knight and IU Hoosiers fan, cheering and maybe cussing them on. Jr. was also a very talented woodworker, making many treasures for his family and friends. Jr. lived a good, long life, making an impact on those he loved.

Survivors include: one daughter, Shelly (Larry) Beckman of Odon; seven grandchildren, Paula Neibert, Amanda Hurst, Wesley Bays, Courtney DeMeulenaere, Allison Beckman, Kylie Sheffer and Caleb Beckman; twelve great-grandchildren; three brothers, Rex (Donna) Courtney of Port St. Lucie, FL, Bob (Linda) Courtney of Peru, IN and Gary (Donna) Courtney of Interlochen, MI.

Jr. was preceded in death by: his wife, Marcia Kay Courtney; his parents; daughter, Debbie Wilkin and son, Marc Courtney.

Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 AM on Friday, April 20, 2018 at Meng Family Funeral Home in Odon with Rev. Paula Neibert officiating. Jr. will be laid to rest in Elnora Fairview Cemetery following military graveside rites by the Elnora American Legion Post #245 and Odon VFW Post #9627.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 19 and from 9:00 AM until the time of service at 10:00 AM on Friday at the funeral home. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or Odon VFW Post #9627. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. You may also honor Jr.’s memory by donating blood to the American Red Cross.

All arrangements have been entrusted to James W. Meng, Jr. and the Meng Family Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.mengfuneralhome.com.