Earl D. Housman

ORANGE - Earl D. Housman, 81 of 519 East River Street, Orange, formerly of Athol, died Monday, March 1, 2010 in the Athol Memorial Hospital. He was born in Montague, on October 18, 1928, the son of the late Arthur and the late Vesta (Lamoureaux) Housman. Earl grew up in Montague and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War; he received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars and the UN Service Medal. Mr. Housman was employed at the former Eastern Furniture in Athol for several years. He went on to work at the University of Massachusetts College in Amherst in the maintenance department for over 26 years, he retired in 1993. He enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and hunting. He was a resident of Orange for the past four years moving from Athol where he resided for over forty-eight years. He leaves his wife of 55 years, Doris A. (Bigwood) Housman, one daughter, Karen R. Rathburn and her husband Timothy of Athol; one son, Arthur R. Housman of Willis, Texas; three sisters, Nancy Miller and her husband Harry of Punta Gorda, FL, Jeanette Emond and her husband Jean of Erving, MA, Marion Silvey and her husband Ken of Punta Gorda, FL; one brother, Roy Housman of Amherst, MA; five grandchildren, Matthew Rathburn, Amy Rathburn, Tracy Rathburn, Timothy Housman, Kevin Housman; three great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Arthur C. Housman, and by a grandson, Daniel Housman. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 5, 2010 at 10:00 am in the Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main Street, Athol. Burial with military honors will follow in Highland Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday, March 4, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fiske Funeral Home. $(document).ready(function(){ });