Earl L. Handley, age 91, of Wilmington, DE died Sunday, September 8, 2024.
He was predeceased by his parents Rev. Floyd Handley and Mildred Handley, and his brother Elmer Handley.
Earl is survived by his wife Louanne Handley, his brother Harold Handley and Hal’s wife Jackie, his children F. James Handley and his partner Marie (Amor) Peirce and her son Amadeus Avery, Helen Eisenbeis and her husband Scott Eisenbeis, David Handley and his wife Loraine Carapellucci, and Chris Handley and his longtime companion Candace Riker. Earl is survived by grandchildren Alex Eisenbeis, Jeffrey Eisenbeis, Monica Handley and her wife Kathleen McGuire, Claire Handley, and Renee Handley.
Earl was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, loved by all. His kindness, wisdom, and love will be dearly missed.
Earl wrote the following poem in preparation for this Obituary:
Earl Handley SUCCESSFULLY completed his life cycle today.
It is time to celebrate – shout “Hooray!”
Earl was born on Halloween in 1932.
(President Hoover was about to say: Adieu”.)
A Presbyterian minister was Earl’s father.
Being a preacher’s kid is a lot of bother.
It took him many years to break out of that shell.
But he became convinced there is no heaven or hell.
Earl graduated from Colorado University in 1955.
And married Louanne. The marriage did survive.
Earl graduated from law school at George Washington,
And was an attorney for DuPont. That wasn’t much fun.
Earl and Louanne had four children:
James, David, Chris, and Helen.
Earl and Louanne did lots of square dancing.
(Square dancing is marriage enhancing.)
Earl loved to hunt deer with the bow.
He killed 43 deer, some bucks, some doe.
Earl loved to fly fish for trout.
It was fun no doubt.
He wrote poems about his fishing and hunts.
His hunting poems are mostly amusements.
If you attend his parting celebration,
You will hear some poems with no elaboration.
Don’t send flowers to the event.
Instead buy a trout license. That would be money well spent.
Visitation will be held at McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3710 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington DE on Sunday September 22nd at 12 noon. A celebration of Earl’s life will be held following the visitation at 1:00 PM. Burial will be private.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
