Earl William Sale, 94, of St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2026, at his home.
He was born July 10, 1931, in Edgerton, MO, the son of the late Alice and David Sale. He graduated from Easton High School and then joined the United States Marine Corps, serving in Korea. On August 17, 1963, he married the love of his life, Florence Fisher, and they shared 55 years of marriage before her passing in 2019. Earl was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was a diesel mechanic, working for International Harvester as the service manager, later for the St. Joseph Fire Department as the fleet maintenance supervisor, and, during retirement, he worked at the Pony Express Museum, where he loved to take his grandchildren whenever he had the opportunity. He loved to garden, drive his golf cart around his property, mow and take care of his yard, and visit with family and friends over a cup of coffee. Boy, did he love a good cup of coffee. He was a member of the American Legion Post 359 and St. James Catholic Church.
Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Sale; his daughter, Angie Sale; his parents; and his two sisters, Mildred and Connie Sale. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Sale Harvey of Knoxville, TN; his sister, Dorothy Larkin of St. Joseph, MO; and his grandchildren, Kyle Massing; Lauren (Jarred Horton) and their children, Tyson Green, Eli Green, and Jack Horton; Brandon (Janna) Harvey and their child, Ysabeau; Tyler Harvey; Chelsey (Tyler Chrisman); and Haley Ferrell.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 am at St. James Catholic Church, with Fr. Garrett King as Celebrant. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm on Friday at the Rupp Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The Interment will be at the NO 6 Cemetery, Frazier, Missouri. Flowers may be sent to St. James Catholic Church, or memorial contributions may be made in his honor.
