March 11, 1931 – May 19, 2025
Beaufort, S.C.
Earl Herbert Schlabach, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, May 19, 2025.
A native of Elkton, Mich., Earl was born to Erwin and Leetta Blanch Bedford Schlabach on March 11, 1931. After graduation from Elkton High School, he attended Fort Wayne Bible College in Indiana where he was the voice of the college radio station, and in 1951 Earl married his high school sweetheart, Nelda Alberta Wolfe. After graduation from college and blessed with a powerful, booming voice, Earl became a successful radio host for longer than 15 years and then went on to work another 25 years for Ford Motor Company in Human Resources. Earl and Nelda reared two children, Dennis and Debi.
After retirement, they moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where they joined Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church (CSPC). Earl loved his family, friends, and the Lord. He continued to use his amazing voice as a part of the CSPC Choir and prison ministry, in radio and on television. After 55 years wed, Nelda passed away in March, 2006.
In February, 2007, Earl married Jean Barton at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tenn. Earl and Jean split their time between homes in Knoxville and Beaufort, S.C., where they attended Sea Island Presbyterian Church. Earl loved attending Men’s Bible study, eating out at favorite restaurants, and staying in touch with family and friends through his unique and thoughtful email distributions of “A Thought for Today”, “Did You Know …?”, and “Grin …”. He never met a stranger and loved to fellowship; he was always ready to make people laugh with a vast array of ultimate dad-jokes. Earl will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Earl is survived by his wife, Jean Schlabach and family; his son Dennis Schlabach (Bethany); daughter Debi Robinson; Grandchildren Erin Kalb (Casey); Zach Beaver (Sarah); Levi Schlabach, Justin Schlabach; Sherry Razo; Amanda Cooper (Chris); his brother Clarke Schlabach (Diana); sister, Anne Sandison; 12 great-grandchildren; neices and nephews.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Erwin and Leetta Schlabach; wife, Nelda; brother-in-law, Darrell Sandison; and son-in-law, Steve Robinson.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church with Rev. Clay Harrington officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Mission Fund, 9132 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tenn., 37923, or the Sea Island Presbyterian Church.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.
