Earl T. Champion, 77, of Portage, died Wednesday, September 3, 2003 at Fountain View Place, Portage.

He was born April 3, 1926 in Copper Hill, Tenn., the son of Joe and Millie Champion, who preceded him in death.

On September 15, 1949 in East Chicago, Ind., he married Mary Louise Yocum, who preceded him in death in 2002.

He is survived by three daughters, Ruth Ann Ragsdale of Portage, Jeanette (Jim) Mill or Valparaiso and Robin (John) Vaughan of Lake Station; a half sister, Cathy (Mike) Jancek of Rensselaer; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

He was employed as a millwright at Universal Atlas Cement. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a 32nd degree Mason with Dunes Lodge.

A funeral service is scheduled at Noon Friday, Sept. 5 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage. Interment will be at Chapel Lawn Cemetery, Schereville.

Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. until time of service at Noon.

Posted  9/5/2003