Submitted by: Dan Rich

Earl E. May

Oct. 29, 1908 - Sept. 28, 2008

South Bend Tribune 10/1/2008
SOUTH BEND - Earl E. May, 99, of 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, died of congestive heart failure at 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, in the nursing facility at Southfield Village. Mr. May was born on October 29, 1908, in Middleton, MO, to the late Arlington and Nellie (Fowler) May, and had lived in South Bend since 1930, coming from Chicago, IL. On May 20, 1939, in South Bend, Mr. May married Frances I. Phillips, who preceded him in death in 2005. Surviving are a daughter, Kathryn "Katie" Welser (John) of Hickory Corners, MI; a son, Douglas E. May (Jennifer) of Annapolis, MD; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Welser (Mike Guthrie), Jennifer Welser, Shelly Kirkpatrick (Seth) and Matthew May (Christy); seven great-grandchildren, Matthew D. May, Mitchell Kirkpatrick, Kayla May, Sydney and Zachary Kirkpatrick, Alyssa and Chloe May.

Earl was an employee of the Bendix Corporation for 45 years, in brake sales, director of sales administration and director of purchasing. Following his retirement in 1973, he was a longtime member of the Bendix Senior Management Club. In 1979, as a member of SCORE, he began consulting with St. Mary's College on a temporary basis, later becoming director of purchasing until his second retirement in 1986. He was a member of the South Bend Elks Lodge, and was a board member of the South Bend YMCA. A member of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church for over 60 years, he served as trustee, elder, and was a member of pastoral search committees and several capital campaigns. As a young man, Earl was active in theater with the Turner Players of the South Bend Turner Hall, and early in his business career he was an active mentor as part of the Junior Achievement program in South Bend. One month shy of his 100 birthday, Earl amazingly remained interested and engaged in all aspects of life. But what family and friends treasured most was his unfailing interest in them - never judging and always providing support and encouragement to all those around him. His positive attitude infected all who knew him and will be sorely missed in his family, his church and the community.