Staff Sgt. Robert Norris Earley

Staff Sgt. Robert Norris Earley, USAF Ret., 83, died Saturday, May 11, 2013 at Burke Palliative Care Center. He was born in Rutherford County, NC on September 16, 1929 and was a son of the late Rev. Robert and Effie Hyder Earley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tiffany Howell, four brothers, and eight sisters.Robert was a retired staff sergeant in the U. S. Air Force and served both in the Korean War and Vietnam conflict. He was a member of the D. A. V. and the 12 step group. He was a member of Morganton First Church of God on Summers Rd.He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lillian Beltz Earley, of the home; children, Robert A. Earley and wife, Lee, and John L. Earley all of Morganton, and Tammy R. Howell and husband, David, of Albuquerque, NM; sisters, Joyce Cordell and Grace DeHetre both of Morganton; grandchildren, Donald Earley, Starla Pierce and husband, Denny, Tesia Earley, and Austin Howell; a great-grandchild, Michaela Pierce; and a number of nephews and nieces.The funeral will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at Morganton First Church of God with Reverends Jon McDivitt, Priscilla Logan, and Don Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with military honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force. The family will receive friends Wednesday at the church one hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.