age 85 of Chicago, IL passed away June 11, 2021, in McKinney, TX.
Born April 3, 1936, in Chicago, IL, Earl was the son of Polish-immigrant and U.S. citizen Joseph Vincent Garstka and Agatha (Agnes) Elizabeth Jachim, both of Chicago, IL.
Earl grew up in the Polish-suburbs of Chicago during the Great Depression where he ran around enjoying the city as a kid, attended parochial school, and played in the Wells High School band. Having an interest in journalism, he worked at the great Chicago Tribune as a 4th basement newsreader, quickly receiving and redirecting handwritten news notes via vacuum-tubes from around the city to the appropriate copywriters. Earl graduated in 1954 from Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood, IL after his parents moved to rural IL just before his senior year. After graduating, he worked as a mechanic and a welder while helping on the family farm and enjoying country life. Earl was an extremely intelligent, self-taught jack-of-many-trades expert, and an inventor and mechanic who could quickly diagnose, suggest solutions, and build and repair just about anything.
Earl was proud of his Polish heritage, and an extremely patriotic first-generation born American. He gained a great appreciation for military service while growing up during WWII and admiring family who had served. Earl was fascinated, especially by flight, and took to the skies to earn his private pilot’s license and admire America from above. He enlisted into the United States Air Force (USAF), first serving as a cardiac medic, and later in Electronic Security Command. While serving, Earl met and married Susan, the love of his life (also a veteran and wife of almost 61 years). Military-life took him and their young family to many U.S. states and other countries all around the world. Earl served 3 tours in Vietnam, flew over 250 combat missions and 4,000+ hours, and was awarded 10 Air Medals. He attended the Community College of the Air Force, studying Electronics and made military service his life-long career. Earl loved and was proud to serve in the U.S. military, humbly stating, “I just did my part. It was THE best job I’ve ever had.” After military service, he was a ship Radio Officer, and later worked in marine electronics. Earl was known as trusted, responsible, dependable, and an honorable leader who was an expert in his field(s).
When home, Earl enjoyed life’s simplicities with family: exploring country roads, fixing cars and bikes, hunting and fishing, building models, inventing, playing chess and guitar/music, attending military air shows, flying remote-control airplanes, and teaching life skills. As a retired combat veteran, he became a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Frisco VFW Post 8273. Earl was a Christian who loved his family, extended family, and grand doggies immensely. He spent his last years as the kind old jovial gentlemen grandfather (known as Dziadek) who loved spending time with family, telling stories, playing card games, and engaging in a good joke. He always encouraged his family to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life using the phrase “take it easy” in every goodbye. Earl’s remarkable intelligence, quick wit, and sense of humor with endearing chuckle will be greatly missed. Farewell to the Sage, Man, Father, Dziadek, and Patriot. May Earl soar to heaven and forever fly in peace with our Heavenly Father.
Earl was loved by all and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his beloved wife Susan, daughter Debra Garstka Miller (husband John), and son Dave Garstka (wife Angela). Earl was the loving Dziadek to grandchildren Jason (& Kristyn) Garstka, Justin (& Doreen) Garstka, Ashley Flower, Laura Miller, Katherine Miller, Alexandra Garstka, Madison Garstka, and the treasured great-grandfather to Caleb, Dominic, Kayleigh, and Alan. He also leaves behind dear in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents, brother Norbert V. Garstka, U.S. Army, and son Alan E. Garstka, U.S. Navy.
Per his wishes, cremation and interment is planned. A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Stonebriar Funeral Home in Frisco, TX, with full military honors at the Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery, Arlington, TX.
Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Earl’s memorial page. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the VFW or its Auxiliary to help other veterans in need. Your contribution will allow him to continue serving veterans and their families from the other side.
Frisco VFW: https://checkout.square.site/.../4YXYQM2LMBFSYN6YAPGWQGMC
Frisco VFW Auxiliary: https://checkout.square.site/.../5M2WBL3AJLPNYQN3JZ6YXXJE
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