Earl Lee Marler of Udall, Kansas passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2016, after a long illness. He was born September 21, 1933, at Cedar Creek, Missouri, to John Thomas Marler and Addie Mossie Payne Marler.

Earl was a proud battlefield Veteran of the Korean War. After his honorable discharge from the US Army, he settled in Winfield, Kansas and started working as a welder for Sonner Burner and later Gordon-Piatt. In 1963 Earl and is wife Betty, purchased a farm near Dexter, Kansas where he lived for approximately 30 years. On the farm they raised a variety of grain crops, hay, livestock, Blue Tick Coon Hounds, Beagles, Quarter Horses and four happy children.

Earl and Betty, also owned and operated the Town & Country Carry Out in Burden, Kansas from 1966 to 1976. After selling the Dexter farm and moving to a country home north of Winfield, Earl worked for the State of Kansas as a maintenance worker and grounds keeper at the Winfield State Hospital, Winfield Correctional Facility, Winfield Veteran's Home and Cemetery until retirement in 1998. After retiring he became a certified gun smith, a hobby and profession, which he enjoyed very much.

Earl was a lifelong rancher, cowboy and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting both big and small game. He trained his hunting dogs and competed in national competitions with them, plus competitively showing his horses, winning many ribbons and trophies with his dogs and his horses.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Addie; his first wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Ford Marler; six brothers, Jess Marler, Ora Marler, Grover Marler, Snowman Marler, Otis Marler and Dee Marler; two sisters, Delvie Marler and Elsie Arnold, infant great grandson, Owen Love and grandson-in-law, Kevin Bodkins.

Earl is survived by his three sons, Ron Marler and wife Charmine of Wichita, Kansas, Rick Marler of Winfield, Kansas, Randy Marler and wife Kathy of Winfield, and daughter Earlene (Elly) Love of Udall, Kansas; one brother, Butch Marler of Texas and two sisters, Virginia McPherson of Winfield, Kansas, and Geneva Matthews of Cassville, Missouri; 14 grandchildren, who are, Veronica, Victoria, Cassie, Alex, Addie, Ryan, Rickie, Brandy, James, Jay, Holly, Travis, Boyd, and Julie, plus 15 great grandchildren.

Graveside funeral services and Military Committal Honors will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors during this time.

A memorial has been established in Earl's name for the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.