Earl Lute

Earl Franklin Lute, age 96, of Midvale, died peacefully, Thursday, April 27, 2023, while in the care of Community Hospice’s Truman House at New Philadelphia.

Born in Goshen, Ohio on October 19, 1926, Earl was a son of the late Henry E. and Eva A. Hill Lute.

Earl attended the Goshen School House where he grew up and was especially close to various uncles and aunts who all lived in the Goshen area.  He spoke of ice skating on the Tuscarawas River as a young man.  He enjoyed running the hills gathering herbs for his grandfather, Isaac F. Hill (Doc Hill) who adored Earl.

Later in 1944 he entered into the United States Army. Like many soldiers of his time, a young 19-year-old Earl departed by train from the Dennison Depot and ultimately ended up in Paris, Texas for his basic training. From there, he was sent to Oregon and was assigned to his first of seven ships. In all, Earl spent his two tours of duty during World War II having been stationed in France, The Philippines, Austria, and Germany. Later in life, he enjoyed sharing stories of his days in the service and fighting for our freedom.

Upon his return home from World War II, he began working in the clay and coal mining industry in the area.  First digging it out of underground by hand and then hauling coal in his own dump trucks.  During this time around 1947 he met the former Betty Gene VanDyke who also lived in Goshen.  When she would ride past his home on her horse he would whistle and giggle watching the horse go running back to the barn with her on the back hanging on for dear life.  Earl and Betty eventually fell in love and on April 30, 1949 he married his forever soulmate.  Together the couple had seven children and shared nearly 54 years of marriage prior to her passing on April 24, 2003.  Earl was always a gentleman but never shied away from showing his ornery side. He was known as a loving, caring, hardworking, generous individual who would give anyone the shirt off his back but above all, family came first and foremost.

Earl’s professional career spanned many years having started out as a truck driver in the clay and coal industry before starting his lengthy career as an autobody mechanic. Earl was one of the first individuals in Tuscarawas County who converted the Volkswagen Beetle into dune buggies and later opened his own shop, Earl’s Body Shop in the alley in Midvale.

He is survived by his children, Tom Lute of New Philadelphia, Earlene (Ron) Selzer of Lancaster, Lola (David) Lute-Schwiger of Cadiz, and Vicki (Dale) Shonk of Midvale; two daughters-in-law, Gloria Lute of Goshen and Julie Lute of Roswell, and a brother, Harold Lute of Roswell. Completing the family are 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wife, Earl was preceded in death by three sons, Garry, Richard, and Howard Lute; numerous siblings, and a great-grandson, Zander Robinson.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at 10:30 AM in the Sharon Moravian Church Cemetery where Active-Duty military honor will be rendered. The family will greet guests following the service in the Roswell Community Center, 5198 Main Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Earl’s name be directed to the Disabled American Veterans, 860 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, Kentucky, 41018.