Ernest Earle

Ernest "Stub" Earle, 84, passed away peacefully at The Manor in Morrisville, Vermont on October 10, 2025 with family by his side.  Born July 15, 1941 in Eden, VT into the loving homestead of his parents, Ernest Leigh Earle and Evelyn Dorothy Earle, and shaped by their generosity and that of the community in which he served.  

He graduated from Johnson High School in 1959 and began dairy farming with his family in Eden. From farmer to politician, pickler and produce peddler, he lived a full and colorful life in “The Garden,” as he affectionately called it. 

He was a prominent figure in Vermont politics in the 70s and early 80s, serving in the legislature for 12 years. During his time in Montpelier, he went on to serve as the Chair of the Fish and Game Committee, and was instrumental in the passing of the bottle deposit bill in the 1970s.  He was known for reaching across the aisle to pass legislation that benefited all Vermonters, regardless of political party. He was affectionately called "the Earle of Eden” by his legislative colleagues and lauded for his no-nonsense approach and ability to translate legislative rhetoric into plain spoken English. He was the last person to have a spittoon in the well of the Vermont House.

Epitomizing the spirit and flavor of “old Vermont,” he was often included in books dedicated to the subject.  From the late Peter Miller’s A Lifetime of Vermont People and Vanishing Vermonters, Loss of a Rural Culture to Real Vermonters Don’t Milk Goats by Frank Bryan and Bill Mares, you would often find his mischievous smile with a signature wool hat that kept time with the passing of the seasons. 

He will be remembered for his fish fries, his cowbell at the many Vermont campgrounds as he did his summer loop peddling strawberries, produce, and his pickles; his uncanny ability to charm anyone into anything and his sponsorship of fellow AA members.

He was proud of his sobriety and the many relationships he forged in the AA community.  Sober since 2005, he died a “grateful, sober alcoholic.”

He thrived at The Manor and we would like to acknowledge our gratitude for the care he received and the love that is present at The Manor every day with every bingo game, every song sung and the daily commitment of the staff there to make it a home.  We would also like to thank Lamoille Home Health & Hospice for the end of life care they provided.

He is survived by his wife, Zobeida of Eden, his brother, Harold Earle (Emma) of Eden,  and his daughters: Carey Earle of Eden, Cathy Hom (Brett) of Colchester, Shannon Anderson of Danville, Kelly Hammond (Kevin) of Fuquay-Varina, NC and Ashley Earle of Morrisville; eight grandchildren; his uncle, Lawrence Earle of Morrisville;  his aunt, Carlene Lavallee of Swanton;  and many cousins, nieces, nephews as well as friendships that spanned both the state and the adventures that took him down country selling Christmas Trees and pine blankets.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Evelyn Earle.

There will be a Celebration of Life at the VFW in Hyde Park, VT on October 24th from 4-7pm with remembrances beginning at 5:30pm. There will be a private interment in early November in Eden. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to The Manor online via https://www.themanorvt.org/donate or volunteering there or in your community to enrich the lives of others.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ernest Earle, please visit our floral store.