Earl L. Covault Jr.

Earl L. Covault Jr., was 90, when he passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at home with family at his side. He was the son of the late Earl L. Covault, Sr. and Lucille Saline (Johnson) Covault Salas.

Earl served his country as Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1952. Upon his honorable discharge, Earl joined the Fort Wayne Police Dept., where he ultimately achieved the rank of Senior Captain. After 21 years as a police officer, Earl worked as an investigator for Allen County Juvenile and Adult Probation departments, retiring in 2012 at 80 years old.

Earl married his high school sweetheart Erlene J. Jensen on March 20, 1954. He was a lifelong member of Salem United Church of Christ, where he sang in the choir. Earl enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and music (especially big band, musicals, and Flamenco guitars). He was former captain of the Fort Wayne Police Pistol Team and achieved the designation “Outdoor Pistol Expert.” He had a passion for model trains and airplanes – even obtaining his private pilot’s license. He was a subscriber of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and it was a treasured tradition that he and Erlene took their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to the Holiday Pops every year.

His commitment to service led him to be Past President of the Fort Wayne Police Department Federal Credit Union and Past President of the Fort Wayne Police Department Merit Commission. Earl was a member of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 14; Home Masonic Lodge #342; American Legion Post 499; Scottish Rite.

Surviving are his daughter, Kathy (Scott) Foltz; grandchildren, Amanda Foltz Roos and Joseph (Sierra) Foltz; and great-grandchildren, Chloe, Tyler and Lucille. In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Erlene, in 2017; and a sister, Marcile Jordan.

A funeral service to honor Earl's life and legacy will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Salem United Church of Christ, 2401 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior to the service. A calling will also be held on Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne. He will be laid to rest at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne.

Memorial donations in his honor may be directed to the Salem United Church of Christ or to Shepherd's House. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Earl's family may be shared at www.McCombandSons.com.