Earl A. Stewart

Earl A Stewart, 79, of Rural Mulberry Grove, passed away on January 27, 2026, at HSHS Holy Family Hospital, surrounded by his loving family and entering his eternal home with his loving Savior.

Earl, the son of Floyd and Ethel (White) Stewart was born in Coffeen, Illinois, on July 23, 1946.  He graduated from MGHS in 1964.  He married the love of his life Cheryl Bandy on April 4, 1964, and they shared 61 beautiful years together.  They had 2 daughters Julia (Mark) Gannon of Mulberry Grove and Jennifer (Rex) Lappe of Greenville, IL.

Earl grew up on the family farm north of Woburn, where he learned early the value of hard work. Throughout middle and high school, he worked alongside his family and helped a neighbor, Richard “Dicky” Hair, farm his land. Those years shaped his work ethic and his deep connection to the farming community.

After Earl and Cheryl married, they moved to Makanda, Illinois, where he attended Southern Illinois University. While studying, he worked at Little Grassy and earned his teaching degree in Welding and Machine Shop. After nine years, they returned to the family farm, and Earl began what would become a 32 year teaching career at OKAW Vocational Center in Vandalia, Illinois.

Earl continued his education while teaching, earning a degree in AutoCAD and Drafting, which he used to expand the vocational program. He also taught numerous night classes through Kaskaskia College, including courses at Carlisle SynTec, sharing his skills with countless students and tradespeople. Alongside his lifelong dedication to teaching, Earl returned to farming, working the family land and helping several neighbors he considered dear friends. He also served his community through many years on the Mulberry Grove Township board. He retired from teaching in 2005, later working for TRO for eight years and continuing to farm as long as his health allowed. Even when his heart condition made it impossible to continue, his love for the land and the people around him never faded. If you knew Earl, he was no stranger—and he didn’t know a stranger. He was loved by so many and was a special teacher to every student who walked into his classroom. Earl found joy in making a difference, guiding his students and his family in the right direction, and offering steady support whenever it was needed. He loved his family without limits and was always the first to lend a hand.

Earl was a member of Greenville First Christian Church, where his faith and community remained important parts of his life.

Earl is survived by his wife, Cheryl; daughter, Jennifer (Rex) Lappe; grandchildren: Keith (Jessi) Scoggins, Lacey (Bob) Koontz, Skylee (Michael) Wernle, and Devin (Taylor) Gannon;  great-grandchildren: Blake, Carter, Khloe, Mia, Abe, Ben, Alaiya, Auden, and Mavery; brothers: Dean (Sandy) Stewart, Dennis Stewart, and David Stewart; and many nieces and nephews.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Ethel Stewart, his mother and father in-law, Harold and June Bandy, daughter, Julia Gannon, and son-in-law, Andy Hill.

Visitation: 4:00 – 7:00 pm., Friday, January 30, 2026, at the Greenville First Christian Church, 1100 Killarney Drive, Greenville, IL 62246.

Funeral service: 7:00 pm., following the visitation

Keeping with Earl’s wishes for cremation, burial will take place at a later date.

Memorials can be made at the church or mailed to: The First Christian Church,1100 Killarney Drive, Greenville, IL 62246 or The Mt. Auburn Cemetery Foundation, ℅ 1074 Rocky Mountain Ave., Greenville, IL 62246

The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville with the arrangements.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.