Obituary of Earl Edmund Roberts

Earl E. Roberts was born in Farmington, Michigan on December 14, 1935.  He was the eldest of seven children                born to the union of Clarence Howard Roberts and Helen (Ransier) Roberts.  He attended Redford Union High School.

Earl enlisted in the United States Air Force on January 19, 1953, and served active duty until January 18, 1957. He married the former Phyllis Elaine Mickel on February 2, 1954, in Southfield, Michigan.  The couple was blessed with four children, and Earl was an excellent provider and a wonderful man.  After his active-duty enlistment, Earl joined the Air National Guard.  He worked full-time as a jet mechanic with the National Guard for nine years, and then remained a weekend warrior for seven additional years, retiring with twenty total years of service.  He was employed as welder for the Ford Motor Company for twenty years before retiring in 1990. 

The couple moved to South Rockwood in 1978 while working for Woodhaven Stamping Plant from Redford Township.  Later they made their home for several years at Merry Lake in Hillsdale.  After retiring the couple went full-time RVing for four years traversing the countryside and taking in all the sights.  While driving through Tennessee, Phyllis found a house she liked, and the couple set up shop living at the bottom of the Smokies for more than a decade. 

Earl was a man’s man.  He loved motorcycles and riding his Harley Davidson.  He loved his family and of course, as most grandparents do, cherished his grandchildren.  Earl was an Eagle Scout and proud veteran with old school morals.  He liked to keep things fun often playing practical jokes.  He enjoyed staying active throughout his life playing baseball with the National Guard and later liked to bowl.  He loved the Red Wings and liked the Lions when they were winning.  In his 80’s he gave his life to the Lord and was baptized. 

Earl E. Roberts, age 88 of Monroe passed away under the care of Heartland Hospice at his home on Saturday; August 24, 2024.  His passing was preceded by his parents; a son: Steven Howard Roberts on October 9, 2019; a brother: Harvey Roberts; and a sister: Mary Pearse.

To cherish his memory, he leaves his beloved wife of seventy years:  Phyllis Elaine Roberts of Monroe; three children: Brad (Virginia) Roberts of Temperance, Sherri (Louis) Lee of Tampa, Florida, and Cindy (Howard) Raker of Monroe; four siblings: Marge Govan, Eileen Chapman, Delores Pound, and Butch Roberts; seven grandchildren: Brandon (Brandi) Roberts, Chris (Heidi) Aldridge, Heather (Shawn) Bigler, Jonathan Roberts, Michael (Nichole) Roberts, Tyler (Sabrina) Roberts, and Angela (Chris) Hurley; fourteen great grandchildren: Ethan, Seth, Kyla, Noah, Colin, Olivia, Dorothy, Kurt, Amelia, Bella, Benjamin, Matthew, Kaleb, and Eliana; one great-great grandchild: Halen; and a dog:  Toby.

Friends may gather from 11:00am until 2:00pm on Saturday; September 14, 2024, at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070.  A Celebration of His Life will follow at 2:00pm also at Merkle’s.  Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.  His final resting place will be in Parkview Memorial Cemetery in Livonia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Humane Society.  Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.