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Earl was born on January 30, 1925 to Manasseh and Olive Cressman in Wilmot Center, Ontario. He was the oldest of four children and grew up on several farms in the Mannheim, Ontario area. The 1930’s were a very difficult time for Earl’s family, as his father lost his farm in the depression. When he was 9 years old his father taught him how to plow a field with a team of horses. When he was 14 years old, Earl quit school to help his father on the farm to be able to better support the family.
In 1943, when Earl turned 18, he was drafted by the Army. He was to serve in the war that was ongoing in Europe. On Earl’s behalf, the elders of the Mannheim Mennonite Church went to the Draft Board in Toronto, Ontario to petition the board for a “Conscientious Objector” and “Farm Deferment” exemption from military service since he was a member of the Mennonite Church. The exemption was granted, but he was required to donate his pay for two years to the Red Cross. Years later, after coming back from a trip to Europe, he expressed that he felt he should have served in the military as the war was justified to stop the evil that Hitler spread across the European continent.
Earl met Edith Milne in 1944 at church and they were married on June 12, 1948. They bought a farm in 1950 near Alma, Ontario and began attending Berea Mennonite Church. While on the farm in Alma, all six of his children were born. During the late 1960’s, Earl had several difficult years farming and in 1970 he sold the farm and moved the family to St. Thomas, Ontario. There was no Mennonite Church in the St. Thomas area, so they became members of Faith Baptist Church and made many friends within that church. Earl began working with his brother-in-law Don Feick in landscaping and then he worked in the insulation business for Neil Wright until 1985. Earl & Edith then moved to Cobourg, Ontario where he worked for his son Del, in his tree maintenance/landscaping business along with his sons Dwight and Don. In Cobourg, Earl & Edith became members of Fellowship Baptist Church and have been faithful members and had wonderful friendships with many people as well.
Beginning in 1989 and continuing for 20 years Earl & Edith spent their winter months in Sebring, FL where Earl was the shuffleboard park champion and the neighborhood handyman. They enjoyed their winters all those years in Florida and made many friends at the retirement park. But they looked forward to returning to Cobourg, Ontario every spring.
Earl had 6 children, Nancy (Wyn) Prior Houston, TX; Delbert (Leslie Garrod) Cobourg, ON; Dale (Carol Martin) Zurich, ON; Dwight, Colborne, ON; Charles (Diane Naman) Miami, FL and Donald (Becky Bailey) Cobourg, ON; with 15 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was predeceased, first by his sister Reta Ramseyer (Kitchener, ON) and then his brothers James Cressman (Laguna Nigel, CA), Clare Cressman (Kitchener, ON) and then by his wife Edith. Earl had many first cousins along with many nieces and nephews and always enjoyed the family gatherings, especially the dinners and celebrations. Being able to work late into his life gave him great satisfaction. Earl’s faith in our Lord was very important to him and he lived his life in a manner that honored his wife, family and friends. He will be missed and forever loved by all who knew him.
Donations in Earl's memory can be made to Gideon's International.
A Private funeral service will be held on Tuesday January 12th at 1pm. To view the service please click on 'View Video Service' to the left when available.
Del and Family, I am sorry to read about the loss of your father. What an incredible life he had. I am glad he was able to be a man of faith throughout his life and did that with integrity. Please know your family is in my thoughts.
Heart felt, Sorry for your loss, Rembering Earl, sending prayers 🙏for the family.
To Del and family, so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad, please accept my condolences. Frank Quinn & family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Gideons International
Del, so sorry for your loss , thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Deepest Sympathy to all of you for your loss. Thank you to Del, for the opportunity to get to know Earl. Not only a week ago I had stumbled upon a newspaper picture my mother cut out of the Cressman Landscaping crew sodding the baseball diamonds at Legion Fields where Earl and I spent countless hours watering together. He was an inspirational, hard working man with great sense of humour. Even now I can hear his contagious laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Josh
To the Cressman family and particularly Del We are so sorry for your loss. My your father Rest In Peace
A donation has been made by Greg McCracken To the Gideon’s International
My deepest condolences to Del and family
Donation A memorial Donation has been made to the Gideon’s International
My condolences to the Cressman family. I’ll always remember Earl with a smile on his face. Liz Paulusma
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Gideons International
Our sincere condolences to the family and friends. Praise God for Earl and the many blessings that He extended through him.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Gideons International
Bob and I send our deepest sympathy to the Cressman family !!
Condolences to the extended Cressman family on Mr Cressman’s passing
Oh, how sad that Covid 19 has prevented us from gathering together and sharing! As first cousin to Edith, Earl's wife, I learned to know of the hardships, financially, of their early years. What I rejoiced in was the way Earl's children supported, cared for and enhanced their later years. Bravo to all of you! Audrey Musselman
I had the pleasure of Earl’s company several times in Miami. I can attest to his winning smile, contagious laugh and his enjoyment of food. My condolences go out the entire family and especially to Chuck.
Our condolences to the whole Cressman Family. We have wonderful memories of Edith and Earl at our many Bowman Reunions. We will be thinking of you throughout the sad days ahead and are so glad that we were able to attend Earl's funeral, at least virtually.
A beautiful ceremony filled with wonderful stories of faith and family. We are proud to have known such a blessed man.
Sorry to hear the news..keeping you in our hearts and prayer.
Uncle earl say hi to grandma and grandpa and be with your siblings. We will miss you.shake hands God
My condolenses to Del and family. I have many great memories while working with Earl in the late 80's. Great sense of humour. Pleasure to work with.
To the Cressman family. Our thoughts and prayers for the passing of your father. He lived a wonderful life with a lot of love and laughter. Maybe a few sweets here and there :). Earl will be missed.
Earl led a life that was exemplary, faith based, and an example to all who knew him. He was my brother-in-law Chucks dad and I had the pleasure of knowing Earl since Chuck and my sister's Diane's wedding in 1982. The laughter and relationship that Edith and Earl shared all their lives was truly one all should aspire to emulate. They will both be greatly missed but are forever together again.
To the Cressman family Our deepest condolences on dads passing. Earl certainly lived a full life with so many grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a man of faith and family, life could not get much better.
My sincere sympathy to the Cressman family. I have so many wonderful memories of Earl and Edith from the Gingerich Reunions.
I remember Earl having the best smile - you never knew what he was up to or thinking! Earl is at peace now in the Arms of his Father, Our Lord & with his beloved wife, Edith. We pray we all will be as blessed! With our deepest condolences.
Sending sympathy to the family and friends. Even though he lived many fruitful and fulfilling years, leaving this earth for the heavenly one is sad for those of us left behind and leaves a big vacancy. Arnold and I spent many good times together with your family over all those years in Ontario, and in Florida with Earl and Edith. As an in law I always felt very close to your family. What precious memories! We will meet again! May God bless your family at this special time.
I have known the Cressman family as long as I can remember. Del and Dale taught me how to ride a bicycle on their farm on the 14th of Peel. I remember Earl as a kind person that was always willing to help people without complaint. He was happiest when busy..... Earl and Edith raised and we feel privileged to know a great family.
We are very sorry to hear of your Dads passing Del, condolences to you and your family.
My deepest condolences to Great Uncle Earl's family and friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Del,Don and family so sorry to hear but know that Dad is better off. It is hard to say good-by here. It is phone calls in hearing their voice that is missed but soon we will. Love and prayers Terry and Diane
Our condolences to the whole Cressman family. We have fond memories of our little chats with Earl and Edith. A lovely couple for sure. Thinking of you in this difficult but also joyous time as he meets his dear heavenly Father.
How well I remember Earl and Edith !! We also lived on the 14th of Peel and went to the Berea church. I also helped them when Dale was born, as well as another time, becoming "housemaid" and "hired hand/man". I have many good memories of times together, lots of laughs. He had a heart for God. My sincerest condolences to the entire family and God's Blessing to all.
Hi Del, My condolences to you and your family. He certainly had a long and valued life.
I have fond memories of both of your parents. I remember visiting your farm where there was no running water and your Mom was using a pump to do the dishes. I felt bad for her having no taps but I marveled at the way she always had a smile on her face and faced adversity with such a positive attitude. Both of your parents were very kind caring people.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Gideons International
Del ,Leslie and all of the Cressman family, Eleanor and I extend our sympathy on the passing of your father, Earl. I remember him as an honourable man. Don
Thinking of you all now and sending out my condolences on the passing of great uncle Earl
So sorry to hear about Earl, he was a good man. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this most difficult time.
We loved Earl! Great man, fun, faithful and always showed us how much he cared. Always a good sport at reunions, loved to laugh and join the pranks! Earl and Edith always made a point to visit my parents, visits we greatly enjoyed. Greatful he was in our lives.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. As you grieve, may you also cherish the memories and celebrate Uncle Earl's life. We enjoyed a couple of visits with Earl and Edith in Coburg in recent years. On one of the last visits he delighted in showing me his workshop and some of his projects that he was working on. Ron & Sally Jo
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Gideons International
I remember your Mom and Dad as such a pleasant couple. Cherish the wonderful memories.
We would like to send our condolences to all the Cressman familly. We have had the opportunity to meet at the Gingerich Reunions on many occasions through the years. It was so much fun to have Earl at the reunions and enjoy his company.
We extend our sympathies to the entire Cressman Family. Earl was such a loving man, we enjoyed the times we were able to spend with him. We know he will be missed by all of you but he has left a great legacy in his children, grand children and great grandchildren.
Our condolences to your family. May God's peace and comfort surround you during this time. Our dads will be reconnecting in heaven! Don & Dianne
Del and Leslie, sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. Maybe he and Doug will meet in Heaven!
Our condolences. Thinking of your families at this time.
Thinking of you at this time. Love and Prayers to your family May God Bless you with his peace and comfort. Wendy and Rick
One of a kind. I can still hear his laugh. Will be greatly missed.
Our sincere sympathy to the Cressman family at this very sad time. Ray & Bonnie
My sincere sympathy to the family, cousins who are very dear to me. I remember your Father's wonderful sense of humor, his laughter, and how much he enjoyed the Gingerich reunion and all the fun and fellowship we had. Fond memories of he and my Dad officiating the famous Gingerich softball games and the fun they had! Earl will be missed.
Our Deepest Condolences to the Cressman Families. Our prayers are with Earl, Edith and you!
Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Remember the many good times we all had when your folks lived in St Thomas.
Now Earl is with his dear wife, and their saviour, The Lord Jesus. We have many fond memories of the two of them. We are praying God's peace and comfort on all the family. Bev & Marg Linton Philippians 1 ; 6
Mom (Erlene Huber) and I send our sympathies to all of you. We have many memories from the 14th of Peel. Mom especially remembers the trip with Earl and Edith to California. Thinking of all of you.
Del, our deepest condolences your family.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL AT THIS TIME
So sorry to hear about your dad. I had many good laughs with him, he will be missed. John Davey