Earl W. Stine, 89, of Leo, died Sunday February 1, 2026.  He was born in Aitkin MN and attended Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne, IN. Earl retired after a career that included Fort Wayne Newspapers (22 years), Northway Center in Fort Wayne (8 years), and the sole owner of The Auburn Vac Shop in Auburn (21 years). He was devout in his Catholic faith and spent many years at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish but later enjoyed exploring the different parishes in Fort Wayne and attending Mass at a variety of different churches.

Earl loved being outside working in the yard and he could often be found walking his beloved dog, Scotty, and later Ash.  He was very active within his retirement community helping the neighbors with home maintenance. Many of the widows in the community depended on him for small repairs and projects in their home. Earl was a 20+ year donor to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital and was also a 10+ gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and spending time with family.

Earl is survived by his life partner, Janice Swaters; his daughters, Trina (John) DeRose of Hoagland, Christa Brown of Fort Wayne, Terry (Dave) Wieckowski of Round Rock TX, Wendy Stine of Mariposa CA, and Dawn (Steve) Stine-Smith of Auburn; stepdaughter Sara Jo (Suzanne) Berry of Rome City; step-son, Michael (Kelly) Ernst of Auburn; 12 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Earl is also survived by his sisters, Pearl Kacprowicz and Arlene Keffer.

The services for Earl will be by invitation only, and the family requests your understanding during this difficult transition. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Earl's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, online at www.stjude.org  or by mail to 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. Earl will be entombed in Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements through Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave. To share a remembrance of Earl or to offer condolences to his family, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com .

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord,

and let Perpetual Light shine upon him.

.