Earl Christopher Van Wie, 47, passed away at his home Jan. 10, 2013, in Lemoore, Calif.

Funeral services were Jan. 16, 2013, at Phipps-Dale Funeral Chapel, Lemoore, Calif. Graveside service was at the Lemoore Cemetery in Lemoore, Calif., Jan. 17, 2013, with military honors.

Earl was born Dec. 1, 1965, at Ottawa, the son of Charles and Alice Van Wie, Rantoul. Earl was a graduate of Central Heights High School Class of 1984.

After graduating, Earl joined the U.S. Navy, where he served 20 years. He retired at the rank of Petty Officer First Class. After retiring, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for nine years as a soil conservationist until his death.

While serving in the navy, he met his wife of 20 years, Luzvimminda Gracela.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earnest and Vera Van Wie, and Rufus and Marcelene Evans; brother, Robert Van Wie; nephew, Brandon Taylor; uncle, Richard Evans; aunts, Betty Pyle, Audrey Cox and Bernadine Evans.

Survivors include his wife, Luzvimminda, of the home; daughter, Arienne Van Wie, of the home; his parents, Charles and Alice Van Wie, Rantoul; sister, Lorena Taylor and husband, Jack, Olathe; niece, Brittany Taylor, Olathe; nephews, Christopher Taylor, Olathe, and Jayden Van Wie, Waynesboro, Va.