Douglas Earl Scherbarth

Born on November 14, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan, Earl was the beloved son of the late Frederick and Lorena Scherbarth. He was raised with strong values of faith, family, and hard work—principles that guided his entire life.

In 1955, Earl met Suzanne, the woman who would become his lifelong partner, at church. Their connection was immediate, and they married in 1957. Together, they shared 68 years of marriage marked by deep love, laughter, faith, and devotion. Their union was blessed with three children: Douglas E. Scherbarth, Jr. (Lynne), Catherine (Bill) Wrobel, and Diane (Rich) Smith.

Earl began his professional career at Ford Motor Company in 1953 as a Metal Model Maker, fresh out of high school. He dedicated four decades to the company, steadily rising through the ranks to become a supervisor. He was proud of his work on the first Mustang prototypes. His work ethic, attention to detail, and leadership were widely respected, and he retired in 1993 after 40 years of service.

Retirement didn’t slow Earl down—instead, it opened the door to a new adventure. In 1997, he became co-owner of Dragonmead Microbrewery in Warren, Michigan, alongside his son-in-law Bill. His amazing woodwork helped to beautify while his mechanical skills kept everything running smoothly. What began as a passion project turned into a successful business. Earl remained involved with Dragonmead until his second retirement in 2019.

A man of deep Lutheran faith, Earl was a devoted member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Livonia for nearly 40 years. He found great joy in singing in the church choir, sharing his voice and faith with others in worship. He helped with many construction projects through the years, something that brought him great pride and joy.

Earl had a passion for craftsmanship and creativity. He was a talented woodworker and had a special love for restoring classic Mustangs. A longtime member of the Mustang Motor Club, he won several awards for his meticulous restorations. He approached his hobbies with the same care and dedication that he brought to every part of his life.

One of Earl ‘s fondest memories was the celebration of his and Suzanne’s 50th wedding anniversary with a cruise to Bermuda, joined by their entire family. The trip was a highlight of his later years—a joyful gathering full of laughter, stories, and cherished moments that became lifelong memories for all.

Earl was a proud and loving grandfather to Bethany (Marc), Andrew (Jennifer), Suzanne (Rory), Heidi (Blair), Kristin (Garth), Haley (Mike), Eric (Stephanie), Mallory, and Benjamin (Emily). He also leaves behind six great-grandchildren: Verity, Marius, Kaylin, Abby, Perseus, and Clement—each one a special light in his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Kenneth Scherbarth, and his infant sister, Janet Scherbarth.

Earl will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. He was a kind, hardworking, and loyal man who cared deeply for his family and those around him. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the work he took pride in, and the many lives he touched along the way.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 am on Monday, October 6, 2025, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 30650 Six Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan 48152. Earl’s family will receive visitors at the church from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. A Memorial Luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the Church. Those who wish to honor Earl’s memory may do so with contributions to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, a community that was especially close to his heart.