Jack Leroy Early, 50, of Hilliards passed away peacefully at 1:28 p.m. Saturday at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Grove City, Aug. 11, 1959, he was the son of Evelyn Jordan Early and the late Walter Early Sr., who passed Dec. 30, 2002.

He was a well-known drywall construction worker for the past 15 years and previously worked at the former Cooper-Bessemer at Grove City.

He was a member of the Sons of the Legion at the West Sunbury American Legion and the Valley Dam Sportsmen and Snowmobile Club at Hilliards.

Surviving are his wife, Barbara Stevens Early of 13 years; his mother; four children, Heather (Tim) Pope, Sonny D. Early, Nikki (J.R.) Hunt and Harley (David) Novak; a brother, Walter "Bud" Early Jr. of Hilliards; six sisters, Linda Allison of Hilliards, Evelyn Louise (Roland) Forsythe of St. Petersburg, Hope (Lonnie) Forsythe of Hilliards, Sandra (Lonnie) Felix of Petrolia, Esther Jane (Lee) Walters of Hilliards and Theresa (Scott) Vogel of Hilliards; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.

<B>EARLY</B> — Friends of Jack Leroy Early, who died Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, may call from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the <B>H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home</B>, Main Street/Route 38, Eau Claire. Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. Burial will be private.Information also is available at www.buzardfuneralhomes.com.