Earl J. Kerker, 89, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, IA, surrounded by his family.

Friends may call from 4 P/M to 7 P/M, Friday, February 15, 2013, at the Dubuque Masonic Temple, 1155 Locust Street, Dubuque, IA, (Use 12th Street entrance), followed by a Masonic Memorial Service, both open to the public. Friends may also call after 9:30 A/M, Saturday, February 16, 2013, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 12th & Main Streets, Dubuque, IA, where a Christian Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 A/M, Saturday, with Rev. Jon Gaul, officiating. The Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, IL, is assisting the family.

Earl was born on July 23, 1923, in Nebraska City, NE, son of Earl and Lucia (Boom) Kerker. Earl worked one year at Thygeson's Drug Store in Nebraska City after graduating from Nebraska City High School to earn enough money to go to college. He attended Peru (Nebraska) State Teachers College for one semester before entering the U S Army. While in the army, he also attended Southwest Missouri State Teachers College and Biarritz (France) American University. After his military service, he entered the University of Nebraska and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in agronomy with emphasis on conservation.

Earl was in the U S Army for nearly three years and served in the 121st General Hospital as an ambulance driver in England, France and Germany. He often told of the English taking down all directional signs in case of an invasion by Germany so this made finding his way around the English countryside a challenge. He was in the Army of Occupation in Germany following World War II. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal; American Defense, European, African, Middle East; World War II Army of Occupation; Good Conduct; and World War II Victory Medals.

Earl married Lynn Clover in Hiawatha, Kansas, on November 23, 1946.

In April, 1949, Earl started working for the U S Soil Conservation Service as a Soil Scientist in Maquoketa, IA. He later became a soil conservationist and worked in Waukon, IA, and West Union, IA, before being assigned as District Conservationist in Dubuque, where he retired after 32 years of federal service. Earl became well acquainted with Eastern Iowa, having worked in every county from Muscatine north to the Iowa-Minnesota border and as far west as Blackhawk County.

Earl enjoyed his family, travel, fishing, bridge, and fine woodworking. He made many wooden toys and fancy cribbage boards for all of his grandchildren, and taught them to play cribbage. He was active in St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Dubuque, and served on many committees there. Earl enjoyed working with the youth of the Church and made several trips with St. Luke's youth doing Mission work in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee. He was a Past Worshipful Master of Metropolitan Masonic Lodge #49, AF&AM, a Life Member of both the American Legion and Veterans or Foreign Wars.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn, of 66 years; daughters, Susan (Gordon) Landrum, of Port Byron, IL, Janet (Dr. James) Hlavacek, of Aurora, IL, and Carol (Steven) Larrabee, of Eau Claire, WI; his grandchildren, Stephen (Mary) Bade, Lisa (Matthew) Kriegel, Ethan Bade, Lynn (Joseph) Silvia, James H. (fiancee, Suzi Bigliani) Hlavacek II, Jenna Hlavacek, Franklin Larrabee, Charles Larrabee; and three great-grandchildren, Olivia and Allison Kriegel, and Jack Silvia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and an infant daughter.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Luke's United Methodist Church,of Dubuque, IA, United Methodist Church,of Nemaha, NE, Metropolitan Lodge #49,of Dubuque, IA, and The Wendt Center, Dubuque, IA.

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