Elisa "Dawn" Earle

Elisa Dawn Earle was born on May 19, 1943 in Ludington, MI, the daughter of Walter and Gretchen Mills (Simmons), and passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025 at the age of 82. After her birth in Ludington, and a couple of moves, the family settled down in Otsego, MI and Dawn graduated from Otsego High School in 1961. She went on to marry her high school sweetheart, Douglas Roger Earle on September 7, 1963. They were happily married for over 53 years. Doug and Dawn moved to East Lansing after graduating from high school. Dawn worked to support the family while Doug completed his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University. They later moved to the Washington D.C. area for Doug to attend George Washington University Law School and they purchased their first home in Columbia, MD. Soon after they were blessed with two children. In 1973, they decided to move the family back to Michigan to be closer to family. Dawn attended MSU part-time while raising a family and graduated in 1978 with an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education. After both of their children graduated from high school, Dawn utilized her teaching degree to become the supervisor of a Kindergarten program for the DeWitt Public School System. Dawn gave back to the community by guiding and mentoring kindergarten children for 12 years and was proud to call DeWitt home for over 40 years.

Dawn had a caring nature and a natural ability to comfort others. She had an infectious smile and always seemed to make your day better when in her presence. If you didn’t have a smile on your face, she would gladly give you one of hers. She was a stay-at-home mom and was always there for her family. Dawn and her family enjoyed many wonderful summers at the family cottage on Gun Lake. The high school sweethearts also loved to travel. After both had retired, they took several vacations and cruises. Their travels included trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Bahamas.

Dawn’s greatest joy came from spending time with family, especially her four granddaughters. Dawn is survived by her brother, Nelson Mills, her son, Eric Earle, her daughter Koren (Trent) Carpenter, her four granddaughters, Josie Earle, Kate Earle, Kayla Carpenter, and Marisa Carpenter. Dawn was preceded in death by her father, Walter Mills, mother, Gretchen Mills, and sister Rachella Gay Moore.

Visitation will be held at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, located at 205 E Washington, DeWitt, MI 48820, on December 12, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and again on December 13, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

The funeral service is scheduled for December 13, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm, also at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.

The committal service will take place at DeWitt City Cemetery, 780 N Bridge St, DeWitt, MI 48820, on December 13, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to WKAR, Michigan State University, Communication Arts & Sciences Bldg., 404 Wilson Road Room 212, East Lansing, MI 48824-1212.