Earl B. Badger Jr., 66, of Ellwood City died at 3:15 a.m. Thursday at his daughter's home in New Brighton.

Born in Ellwood City, June 16, 1940, he was the son of the late Earl B. and Naomi Cupps Badger Sr.

He was a longtime member of the Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church.

A 1959 graduate of Lincoln High School, he drove tour buses for the Butler Motor Transit Co. for years and was a crane operator at the Beaver Falls and Koppel plants of B & W Tubular Products Co. for more than 16 years.

He belonged to the Ellwood City Volunteer Fire Department and the Wayne Township Fire Department for years.

He was preceded in death by his wife of more than 40 years, Virginia R. Beighey Badger.

Surviving are four daughters Cheryl Lanham of Warrenton, Va., Deborah Falen and Michele Robertson, both of Ellwood City, and Rebecca Badger of New Brighton; three grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. He also is survived by three sisters and two brothers, Ruth Ann Sheldone of New Castle, Mrs. Thomas (Mary Kay) Downing and Sharon Pistorius, both of Ellwood City, and David and Timothy Badger, both of Englewood, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

<B>BADGER </B>— Friends of Earl B. Badger Jr., who died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the <B>TURNER FUNERAL HOME</B>, Sixth Street at Park Avenue, Ellwood City. Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Byerly, his church pastor, officiating. Burial will be at the Locust Grove Cemetery.Memorial donations may be made to the donors' favorite charity.Condolences may be submitted at www.turnerfh.com.