Earl Roscoe Tarter

Earl Roscoe Tarter, 76, of rural Fairmount, lived life to its fullest until the day of his passing on May 18, 2019.

Orel Tarter and Myrtle (Henderson) Tarter from Somerset, KY, welcomed Earl on February 9, 1943, to Wilbur Heights, in Champaign, IL. Both parents preceded him in death. Earl was one of fourteen brothers and sisters. He loved them all. Earl is survived by two brothers, Walter (Geri) Tarter of Iowa and Wilbur (Susie) Tarter of Mahomet, IL; and one sister, Loretta Tarter Catron of Glasgow, KY. Earl loved all kids and was “Uncle Earl” to many nieces and nephews.

Earl leaves behind his daughter, Nikki Tarter Baker (Shawn Andrews) of Danville. Nikki blessed him with three children, Makenzie N. (Marshal) Baker of Salt Lake City, UT; Nathan S. (Shelby) Baker of Oakwood, IL and Dylanee B. Baker of Danville, IL.  Earl enjoyed basking in the presence of his first great-grandchild, Aspen Blayne.

Earl is also survived by his stepdaughter Teresa Tuggle Campbell of Madison, AL, who also blessed him with two more grandchildren, Lauren T. Earle of San Diego, CA, and Wyatt D. Earle of Knoxville, TN.

Earl grew up in the Wilbur Heights area of Champaign and enjoyed playing outside, doing such things as riding bicycles, having BB gun battles and sneaking into the local drive-in to watch movies.

Earl quickly decided school was not for him and he wanted to see the world.  He and his nephew, Wayne Ruyle, joined the Navy on the “buddy system” in January 1961.  After completing boot camp together, they received their orders and were unfortunately stationed on opposite sides of the country.

Early in his career, Earl worked in California for a contractor he had grown up with from Champaign. At that time, they painted government housing.  For many years Earl worked out of Laborer’s Local # 703 and made numerous friends. He later went to work for Schomburg and Schomburg Construction. Mr. Schomburg became a close friend and kept him working steadily for over 30 years. 

There were many and varied interests for Earl. He loved finding antiques and other treasures at garage sales, vintage cars, tractors, crocks, and was always on the lookout for a good deal. 

Earl had many friends and loved ones who will miss him terribly.  

Earl never liked being the center of attention and per his wishes there will be no funeral services.  Instead, friends who wish to gather in his memory are invited to gather at the Pollywogs on June, 1, 2019, at 2:00 PM to raise a PBR and share remembrances of Earl.

Also, there will be a family memorial at the Tarter Family Reunion which will be dedicated to Earl’s memory. It will be held in Mahomet on June 22, 2019.

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