Born: March 23, 1948

Died: July 3, 2012

Earl J. Carter, 64, of Birch Street, Niles, died Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at Lakeland Community Hospital in Niles following an extended illness.

He was born March 23, 1948, in Wilson, Ark., to Andrew and Ruby (Slaughter) Carter. Earl attended school in Caruthersville, Mo., and moved to South Bend in 1963. He retired from Alco Cleaning Services in South Bend after many years of service. He was a member of First Missionary Church in Niles, where he enjoyed serving as usher.

In 1992, he married the former Ruscella “Rusty” (Gay) Schraw and relocated to Niles with his family. Surviving with wife, Rusty, are sons, Danny (Marquette) Washington, of South Bend, and Earl Carter Jr., of California; daughters, Earleen Carter and Tina Carter, both of South Bend, Evon Carter, of Savannah, Ga.; and children, Cassandra Carter, of Niles, Allesha Carter, of Louisville, Ky., James Carter, of South Bend, Jamar Carter, Cynthia Carter, Sabrina Carter and Matthew Carter, all of Niles, Gail Schraw and Gaynelle Byride, both of South Bend, Krystal (David) Seweeny, of Jackson, Mich., Michael Schraw and Donald Schraw, both of South Bend. 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and seven brothers and sisters also survive him.

Four brothers preceded him in death.

Funeral services for Earl J. Carter will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 9, at First Missionary Church in Niles with the Rev. Daniel Miller, of the church, officiating. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in South Bend.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 a.m. until the time of services Monday at the church.

Contributions in memory of Earl J. Carter may be made to the First Missionary Church in Niles.

Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles, is assisting with arrangements.