Earl Ziehl

Earl Valentine Ziehl was embraced by the Lord and taken to Eternal Life, Friday, June 5, 2015 at age 92 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born October 27, 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Parents Richard Ziehl and Clara Thom. Earl proudly served in the United States Navy 1942-1946 serving as Machinist Mate 1st class on the USS Wharton and other ships, during World War II. During Earl's service he was assigned to training at New Mexico State University where he met and married Wilma McDonald. The couple made Las Cruces, NM their home. After the service, they attended numerous ship reunions held in many different cities of the U.S. It was important to Earl to meet with his shipmates as often as possible. Earl and Wilma loved traveling the country in their yellow 1969 Ford LTD which they still have at home. Earl was known to wear his Navy veteran cap almost everywhere he went which sparked up many a conversation. Earl was a dedicated and hard worker while employed at White Sands Missile Range then for the USDA Cotton Ginning Laboratory retiring after more than 40 years of service. After retirement, Earl enjoyed many years working the election polls at Conlee Elementary School. He was proud of the work he did and the many friends he made. Earl was also a dedicated family man and Boy Scout Master teaching camping and hiking skills. The family went on many outings and vacations together. He enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandchildren at the lakes around Ruidoso, NM. Earl was a machinist and auto mechanic having worked as a body repairman in Hatch, NM. All five of the boys picked up a love of cars from Earl. They turned this love of cars into numerous years of racing. Earl and Wilma traveled often and enjoyed various locations including Hawaii where Earl's favorite memories reside. Earl is preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, Richard and Henry Ziehl. He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years and five sons and theirs wives, Richard and Linda; John and Ollie; Mike and Linda; Paul and Rose; Steve and Patti and many grandchildren, greats and great-greats and two more soon to be born. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Gay Ziehl from Missouri. Pallbearers are Rick Ziehl, Clint Ziehl, Chad Ziehl, Araceli Artalejo, Jason Ziehl and Matt Ziehl. Visitation will be held Friday, June 12, 2015 from 9-10 a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 10:00 a.m. at Getz Funeral Home, burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.