Earl J. Carlson

He was born Nov. 6, 1930 in Dunkirk, the son of the late Carl and Aina (Sievenus) Carlson.

A lifelong area resident, Earl was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1948. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and had been employed as a machinist/mechanic at Ralston Purina.

Earl was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Dunkirk and Forest Lodge 166, Dunkirk Cryptic Masons, Dunkirk Chapter of the Royal Arch, Scottish Rite Valley of Jamestown, Dunkirk Commanderies, HRAKTP, and the Knights York Cross of Honor.

Survivors include three daughters, Kimberly (Peter) Zielinski, Carol (David) Bleck, and Lisa (Tom) Hawk, all of Fredonia; five grandchildren, Steven (Hilarie) Zielinski, Raleigh (Kathryn) Hawk, Michael Hawk, David Bleck, and Megan Bleck; one great-granddaughter, Trucy Hawk; brother-in-law, Dale (Zoe) Bond; sister-in-law, Karen (John) Popowych; beloved cousin, Susan (Joseph Eicheldinger) Wells; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 50 years, June Carlson; second wife, Gloria Carlson; five brothers, Carl, Norman, Bertel, George, and Helge Carlson; and three sisters, Jeanette Skinner, Aina Youhill, and Helen Carlson.

Calling hours will be held TODAY, Oct. 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Rev. Holly Clark-Porter will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Fredonia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lakeshore Humane Society or Forest Lodge 166.