UTICA – Donald E. “Pete” Earley, 81, of Utica, passed away on May 13, 2021, at Knox Community Hospital in Mount Vernon.
Pete was born on May 29, 1939, in Utica to Willard Earley and Betty (Hayes) Sellers but was lovingly raised by his paternal grandparents, Gail and Rebecca Earley. After graduating from Utica High School, he married Carolyn Wheeler, his beloved wife of 48 years.
Pete was drafted into the Army in 1963. While proudly serving there as a cook, he received medals for good conduct and sharpshooting. After serving, he began working in the oil field with Jim Wray, eventually running a service rig (W. E. Well Service) for several years. He was in partnership with Don Byers, creating Earley Byers Oil Production. Nothing made him happier than working on wells and shooting the breeze with his coworkers in the field. He loved talking with his friends and family on the phone, sharing tales of times gone by and bragging about his grandkids. He was proud of his family and their accomplishments.
He is survived by his son, Rodney (Jennifer) Earley of Utica; four grandchildren, Samantha (Kevin), Jake (Cassi), Maisie (Jesse) and Maddie; two great-grandsons, his namesake Floyd Eugene “Pretty Boy Floyd” and Bradley; and sisters, Sharon (Randy) Bowers and Nancy (Gary) Burch.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and a sister, Linda Mizer.
Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens, where military rites will be held.
Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com.
The family wishes to extend the sincerest thanks and appreciation to the staff of the Country Court Nursing Center. They were much more than staff to Pete, they were friends.
