Earnie was born January 13, 1933, to Eli and Mary Sumpter in Grinnell, IA. He graduated from Newton High School. Earnie was united in marriage to the love of his life, Mary Ann in 1951. He served his country in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. Earnie graduated from Kansas State University on January 13, 1963, with a bachelor’s degree in engineering and began his 35 years working for Fisher Governor “Emerson” that same month. He was the plant manager of manufacturing and loved his work there. His work at Emerson was his favorite topic of conversation even after retiring in 1998. Earnie’s favorite hobby was anything he did with his buddies whether that was playing sports or hanging out at the bar with them. Earnie especially loved playing golf. He enjoyed boating where they spent weekends in the summer on the Mississippi River. He also enjoyed handball/racquetball, bowling and dancing. He and Mary Ann hosted many great parties in their basement with a dance floor. Earnie loved ice cream and couldn’t live without his coffee or a cold Old Milwaukee. He worked hard and played hard. Earnie was larger than life and full of fun. Earnie and Mary Ann bickered constantly! That’s why they will be together in a companion urn so they may argue into eternity. Family was important to Earnie, he had the luxury of having two of his great grandsons living across the street, Cole and Jase could be found at Earnie’s house daily.

Earnie was very protective of his family and will be missed by his loving wife of 72 years, Mary Ann, a son, Ron Sumpter of Webster City, IA, a daughter, Rhonda (Roger) Wheeler, of Marshalltown, six grandchildren: Chantel (Shane) Lynch, Shala Wyant, Meagan (Matthew) Gilgen, Dani (Brent) Swalin, Nick (Jennifer) Sumpter, Destiny Sumpter, seven great grandchildren: Cole Lynch, Jase Lynch, Dylan Miller, Devon Miller, Perri Swalin, Kallen Swalin, Kian Sumpter and a nephew Jack Bruce, of California.