Mr. Earl J. Stitely, 88, of 405 S. Broad St., Waynesboro, died Friday evening, December 9, 2011, at the Hospice of Lancaster County, following a short illness. Born May 9, 1923 in Waynesboro, he was the son of the late Jesse G. and Mary Alice (Gossert) Stitely. He was a lifelong resident of the Waynesboro area. He graduated from Waynesboro High School with the class of 1941. Mr. Stitely served with the United States Army during the European Theater, serving mostly in Germany and Southern France with Company G 253 Infantry 63rd Division. During his service he was a Purple Heart Recipient and was awarded various other medals. He and his wife, the late Frances R. (Brown) Stitely, were married on June 15, 1945. They have lived at their present residence since the marriage. Mrs. Stitely died on September 27, 1995. Mr. Stitely worked at Van Sant's and Stitely's Market. He later worked for the Waynesboro Post Office as a window clerk from 1956 until his retirement in 1983. He was a member of Joe Stickell American Legion Post #15, William Max McLaughlin V.F.W. Post #695, and Fraternal Order of the Eagles #1758, all of Waynesboro, and the National AARP. Mr. Stitely was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who enjoyed golfing, fishing, and collecting stamps. He was also a talented woodworker and craftsman. He is survived by two daughters, Beth Ann Menges and her husband Ray of Lancaster and Sharon Lee Forry and her husband Larry of Hanover; six grandsons, Scott Menges, Craig Menges, Jeff Menges, Brad Yeakel, Chris Forry, and Jason Forry; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Ritz of Quincy Village and Dorothy Creager of Waynesboro; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Katheryn Potts, Mabel Shearer, and Shirley Campbell; and two brothers, Gilmore L. Stitely and Robert G. Stitely. Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, December 15, 2011 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Inc., 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro, with Pastor Christine Callaway officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro, where full military honors will be conducted by the honor guard of Charles Nitterhouse V.F.W. Post #1599, Chambersburg The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, Thursday morning, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA, 17604. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com