Donald (Jack) Earley, 86, of Ranier, Minn., passed away Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, at Littlefork Care Center, Littlefork, Minn., surrounded by his loving family.
Jack was born April 4, 1931, in International Falls, Minn., to Mary and Paul Earley.
Jack graduated from Falls Senior High School with the Class of 1950.
He joined the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1954.
Jack married Colleen Kirtland on Feb. 27, 1955. They were married for 62 years.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; son, Brian; grandchild, Craig Kennedy; and siblings — Margaret (George) Bruggeman, Bernard (Vera) Earley, Isabel Earley, Ruth Earley and Robert (Marian) Earley; sister-in-law, Carol (Gus) Zucchiatti of Fort Frances, Ontario; sister-in-law, Judee Kirtland; sister-in-law, Beverly Kirtland; and sister-in-law, Jacky (Dale) Walls of Hibbing, Minn.
He is survived by his wife, Colleen; son, Bruce (Shirley) Earley of International Falls and Alaska; daughter, Laurie (Mark) Kennedy of Fort Frances and Patty (Doug) Hasbargen of Birchdale, Minn.; five grandchildren — Joe, Jake, Cheyanne, Allie and Breanne; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Eugene Earley of Thunder Bay, Ontario; sister, Jean (John) McSwiggen of Hopkins, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
Jack was employed by Boise Cascade for 39 years. He was also a bartender for the Flame Nite Club and Border Bar.
He loved hunting and fishing and loved his hunting shack on the Haney Road with his family and friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 1 to 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at the Elks Lodge.
