Earl C. Stocker passed away peacefully on May 27, 2021 at his home in Easton, PA. Earl was a giver – through his kindness, through his creativity, and through his guitar playing. He helped many people in many ways and left every moment better than he found it. He spent his life in Easton and was proud of his home. As a boy, he would hike the trails of the nearby hillsides, drink from the waters of the Second Spring, and generally get up to no good with his eight siblings. As an adult, “Mr. Easton” couldn’t go more than one block downtown in his trademark overalls and newsboy cap without having three conversations and making four future commitments, leading us to coin the phrase, “he’s on Earl Time.”
Earl saw the world in a different way, and captured his world in art. His work spanned many mediums and styles, and his work was displayed in galleries from eastern Pennsylvania to Central Europe. Each time you look at his art, you discover a new face, a new meaning, a new way of looking at things. From brilliant collages years in the making, to poignant pieces about the Environmental Crisis, to garlic head caricatures for Garlic Fest and shad people sketches for the Shad Festival, each piece of Earl’s work brought great joy to many people.
He dedicated his life to helping others and spent decades as an Activities Director at ENC and Recreational Aide at Gracedale. His “peeps” loved him because he made them feel seen. He learned their favorite song on the guitar to bring back fond memories. He planned a private fishing trip when he found out you loved fishing. He saw you, learned what made you smile, and made it happen.
He is survived by his high school prom date turned loving wife, Sondi; his children, Allison, Chris, Heather, and Jessica, of whom he was “endless proud”; his grandchildren, Lillian and Isabella; his siblings, Calvin, Helen Mae, Louis, and Susan; and many, many more loved ones and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Beth, and his siblings, Barbara, George, Jack, and Nancy.
Earl was selfless, a giver of light and laughter, and a friend to all. The world is a better place from his kindness, his thoughtfulness, and his creativity. He will live on forever through his art and through the people he touched.
A visitation will be held 10 to 11:30 AM Saturday, June 5 in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St., Easton, PA 18042 or the Arts Community of Easton (A.C.E.), P.O. Box 465, Easton, PA 18044. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
John Groller Jr
May 29, 2021 at 2:09 am
LLH&R will always love respect and miss ya Squeal
Evelyn
May 29, 2021 at 9:00 am
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Stocker, but from what I read this morning, Earl C. Stocker was a most Pleasant man. Kind, artistic, and just plain enjoyed life. When he comes back in the resurrection, to live forever on a paradise Earth, everyone will be able to benefit from all of his creative talent in perfection. John 5:28,29. Sincerely, Evelyn
Luanna Myers
May 29, 2021 at 10:27 am
My heart has a crack in it knowing that Earl is no longer here. All the times I spent with him were treasures that are so precious. He was one of a kind, unique and funny, kind and thoughtful. Our world has lost a little bit of it’s magic.
Erik Chuss
May 29, 2021 at 12:20 pm
I got to know Earl through the Forks Area Art Society about 10 years ago. From our first meeting on he was always so positive and a lot of fun to joke around with. We all loved his art work which was very unique and interesting. He will be sincerely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Earl and your family. God bless.
Mary Ellen Orloski
May 29, 2021 at 2:17 pm
We are so sorry, Sondi, with the news of the passing of Earl. Know how much Earl meant to you. Will be keeping you in our prayers. Take care.
Love, Aunt Mary Ellen and Walt
Perry Pellicotti
May 29, 2021 at 4:52 pm
My deepest heartfelt sympathy to you and the family cousin Sondi, on the loss of such a sweet man. He used to laugh when I called him “cousin Earl” and he always put a smile on my face. He will be sorely missed at the art shows and downtown in general. May he rest in peace…
Dave seawood
May 30, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Sad day lost truley my best friend earl the pearl
Lynn Alexander
May 30, 2021 at 11:48 pm
A kind, generous man who cared about so many things and who gave from the heart. We worked on art for Perspectives, art about the environment. He was always gracious and supportive. This is a loss to our community.
Please know that he touched our lives and our thoughts are with his family. May his gifts be remembered.
Amber Rittenhouse
June 1, 2021 at 10:20 pm
To Sondra and Earls family,
My most heartfelt condolences.
There was only one Earl. He was truly special. Forever he will be missed and remembered.
Craig Dorsey
June 2, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Sondi, Calvin, Helen, Louis and family my heart felt condolences. Earl, Earl the Pearl, Pearlzie, best friend I had a lot of names for Earl while growing up together on south side. We were brothers just living at different houses. If we weren’t running around south side we would be on Morgan’s hill, sometime raising hell in Palmer. Earl got his quick wit from his father and his kind heart from his mother. Earl always amazed me with his art. His doodles on yellow tablet paper where all keepers. I watched him draw on his jeans pant leg with a ballpoint pen, the details he was able to get on that material amazing. Love you Pearl RIP
Earl David Ball
June 3, 2021 at 1:22 pm
I’m so sad to hear of Earl’s passing. We used to joke with one another about ‘being the other Earl around town.’ I always found him delightful, upbeat, with a fun sense of humor. Truly a great guy and fellow musician, always with a smile.
My heartfelt condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
Beverly Erhardt
June 5, 2021 at 7:39 am
We often refer to one with a career steeped in power and money as being successful. That is not success. Success is a life we live as we want to live. Earl was a successful man. A man already deeply missed by all.
To give, to love, to serve is the truthfulness of Earl. He gave from within his smile, his time, his attention. He loved his life, his Sondi, his family, his friends and the stranger on the street to whom he tipped his hat. He served his community, those in need of care, those simply in need. He gave his all.
My deepest sympathy to you Sondi and the family.
Beverly
Edith DeProfio
June 5, 2021 at 8:51 am
I met Earl through the Forks Area Art Society. Such a nice person and a great artist. Also saw him occasionally at Home Depot….always brought a smile to my face. May God bless Earl’s family. He continues to live in your hearts.
Sara Helen Hanlon Hetland
June 18, 2021 at 11:32 am
On behalf of my father Bernard James Hanlon and myself,
Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of a wonderful gentleman. The only time I regret not having known him until my Aunt Nanette’s funeral. He was so kind and a gentleman in every way.
May his memory serve as a blessing to all who loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.