As a child Earl enjoyed evenings on his front porch swing, suppers with the family, and listening to his dad sing. He fondly remembered attending the 1944 baseball World Series where the St. Louis Cardinals beat the St Louis Browns in six games. There were less joyful times of rationings during World War II, and being confined in a bedroom for weeks with his siblings while quarantined with scarlet fever.<\/p>\n

Earl graduated high school in 1946 and went to work in St. Louis at a handbag factory. He moved up quickly and became a supervisor within a year. In the summer of 1949 Earl attended a six-week Bible study and ministry workshop, and it was there that he felt God\u2019s call to ministry. He enrolled in McKendree College, graduating in 1953. While studying at McKendree he attended classes full time during the day and worked full time evenings. During his sophomore year he began singing in revival meetings which began his musical ministry. During that busy time, he married the love of his life, Beulah Rose Lancy, on November 22, 1950. They were blessed with 72 years together.<\/p>\n

After graduating from McKendree Earl moved to Kansas City to attend the Nazarene Theological Seminary. He spent the next three years working full time and attending classes full time, graduating in 1956 with a Masters of Divinity. In 1958 Earl was ordained an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene in North Platte, Nebraska. He traveled throughout Nebraska with a male quartet with Beulah as the pianist.<\/p>\n

His first church was Lincoln North Nazarene church in Lincoln, Nebraska. He pastored there for five and \u00bd years and recalled it as a great experience.<\/p>\n

In 1961 he accepted the call to the First Church of the Nazarene in Merrillville, Indiana. In the 6 years he pastored there his congregation tripled and he led them through the building of a fellowship hall. He conducted several revivals and in 1967 accepted the call to be the pastor at the Frankfort First Church of the Nazarene. Earl and Beulah spent 30 years enjoying their music and preaching ministry in Frankfort, during which time they built a large Sanctuary, Sunday School and office complex. Earl retired in 1997 in the same pastorate, and stayed a member for the remainder of his life.<\/p>\n

Earl continued his ministry in retirement, often being invited to preach and\/or sing at area churches. He was noted for giving \u2018sermons in song\u2019 with Beulah always accompanying him at the piano.<\/p>\n

Earl shared a wonderful life with Beulah that spanned forty-one years in pastoral ministry, and more than fifty-six years of preaching and singing the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Later in life they enjoyed travel in the United States including Hawaii, and overseas visiting Israel, Egypt, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Paris, France.<\/p>\n

Earl was a passionate man of faith who loved his family, loved his friends and loved his community. He was a devoted servant to God and his congregation. He selflessly provided counseling and direction to those in need, visited the sick and broken, always with a big smile and open arms.<\/p>\n

Earl is survived by his sister Rosemary Goodrich and his legacy lives on in the lives of his 6 children, Brenda (Robert) Marcotte, Lauren Spencer, Pamela (Stephan) Watts, David (Shawn Valentine) Roustio, Linda (Bradford) Kohlmeyer, Lisa (Gary) Crum, 15 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Earl was predeceased by his wife Beulah Rose (Lancy) Roustio, his parents Earl and Mary Roustio, and his brother Ervin Roustio.<\/p>\n