"E.J." Earl
J. Applegate
‘E.J.’ Earl J. Applegate, 66, of Grand Island, died Friday, March 26, 2010 at St. Francis Skilled Care.
Private family burial will be at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, NE with full military honors. Dan Naranjo will officiate.
All Faiths Funeral Home is serving the family.
Mr. Applegate was born June 2, 1943 in St. Paul, NE the son of Earl ‘Jake’ and ‘Flossy’ Florence (Luick) Jacobsen.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, infant sister and younger brother, Glen Muller of St. Paul.
Survivors are his life partner, Deb Daniel and daughter in heart, Lizz Daniel.
Other survivors are three nephews and one niece Jeremiah and Candice Muller, Justin Muller, Casey Muller, Alan and Sara Burhaus.
His mother owned and ran Flossy’s Café in St. Paul. His beloved grandmother, Ina Luick was the Librarian in St. Paul and taught Earl to read at an early age and he never stopped wanting to learn.
In 1961, Earl graduated from St. Paul High School and joined the Navy on June 5, 1962 and was discharged on June 4, 1968. Earl proudly served his country. He learned aviation fundamentals and was stationed in the U.S. Naval Auxiliary landing field in Monterey, California as an oxygen systems tester. Earl was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.
After the service Earl traveled on his motor cycle, received a pilot’s license and sailed the ocean. He wanted to see the whole world. Earl went to college to study botany. He felt a strong bond with nature. While in Colorado he was in charge of a wild life reserve protecting all kinds of animals.
Earl returned to Grand Island and started an antique store. He
enjoyed restoring antiques and refinishing furniture. He returned
to school to become a private contractor and carpenter for 25 years. Throughout
his life he studied extensively different forms of religion. He
loved going for coffee and participating in any good conversation.