Submitted by: Dan Rich

Earl A. Bradberry

July 24, 1922 - Nov. 23, 1996

South Bend Tribune 11/26/1996

Earl A. Bradberry, 74, beloved husband and father, passed away at 5:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 1996. Mr. Bradberry was born July 24, 1922, the fourth of eight children, to Thomas and Effie Bradberry. At the age of 17, Earl moved to South Bend from Clinton, Ark. and entered the CCC. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Army and served with the Ninety Ninth Infantry Division which participated in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

After his discharge from the Army in 1945, he and his wife, Onie, returned to South Bend.

In 1960, Earl and his two brothers, Bill and James, founded Bradberry Brothers Excavators and Contractors. James died in a construction accident in 1976. Bill Bradberry survives as president of the company. Earl was an active member and retired deacon of Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church. He was former president of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship, South Bend Chapter, for many years. He was presented with the Meritorious Service Award for Exceptional Leadership and Christian Attitude from this organization. He was well known for his missionary endeavors throughout Europe and the continent of Africa. His most recent missionary project is construction of a church for the people in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Africa.

Mr. Bradberry is survived by his wife, Onie; three daughters, Karen Atwood of Newport News, Va., Cheryl Krise of Chesapeake, Va. and Marcia Blue of South Bend; five grandchildren, Melissa Blue, Olivia Krise and Brooks, Will and Luci Atwood; two sons-in-law, John Atwood and John Krise; three sisters, Selma P. Grubbs of Argos, Ind., Nellie M. Eggers of South Bend and Glendabea Spirito of Elkhart; three brothers, W.J. ''Bill'' Bradberry of South Bend, Dean P. Bradberry of Osceola, Ind. and Troy L. Bradberry of South Bend; and 22 surviving nieces and nephews.

Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, at Guisinger Colonial Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend. Services will be Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 11 a.m. in Calvary Temple Assembly of God Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the FGBMF, P.O. Box 958, South Bend, Ind. 46601, for completion of the church construction missionary project in Tanzania, Africa.