Earl Joseph Halfmann

Earl Joseph Halfmann 96, of Vancourt passed away peacefully February 16, 2022. Earl was born August 18, 1925, in Olfen in the home of his parents, Charles and Ella Halfmann. He attended Olfen School and then attended Price College in Amarillo, Texas, graduating in 1943. He enlisted in the Army on July 20, 1944 and was assigned to Company A 306th Infantry. After arriving in Hawaii, his company participated in the liberation of Guam, the Philippines and Okinawa. Later, he was a member of the occupation forces in Japan. He was honorably discharged June 10, 1946. After World War II, he returned home and began farming with his father in Runnels County. He met and married the love of his life Mary Ann Glass on Wednesday, January 5, 1949, at St. Joseph’s Church in Rowena. They moved to Vancourt, Texas where they homesteaded without electricity for three years until rural electrification reached Vancourt where they lived the rest of their lives. Earl was a farmer and rancher, raising cotton, milo and livestock, always striving to initiate new farming methods, such as contour terracing of fields. He and Mary Ann raised six children in the Vancourt and Wall communities. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall, Texas where he acquired the nickname “Fr. Earl” during one of his terms as parish council president. He was a charter member of the Wall Knights of Columbus and was a 4th Degree Knight. Earl enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling with his wife. He loved to dance and the couple were members of the Western Club and the Wall Polka Club. They supported all the school and community activities of their children and grandchildren, attending numerous events over the years. He and Mary Ann were members of the Domino Club and enjoyed many games of 42 and 88 with their life-long friends. He and Mary Ann were faithful in attending their hour of adoration at the Adoration Chapel at St. Margaret of Scotland Church on Sunday mornings. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Mary Ann, his parents, son-in-law Bill Scott, siblings Flora (Frank) Willberg, Elvie (Dennis) Ahlert, Georgie (Albert) Meeks, and in-laws Wolly and Rosalie Dierschke, Ralph and Felda Lange, Alton and Ernestine Glass, Omer Halfmann, Dolores Glass and Harry Kalina. Survivors include his daughters Wanda (Allan) Lange, Ruth Halfmann, Deborah Scott, Joan (Wayland) Pierce; sons Charles (Sheila) Halfmann and Kevin (Julie) Halfmann. Also surviving are grandchildren Heather Lange, Shanna Lange, Amber Hall, Allison Smith, Tyler Scott, Kayla Pollet, Jake Halfmann, James Halfmann, Thomas Halfmann, Elizabeth Halfmann, Jessica Rodriguez and Juilanne Thompson and 15 great grandchildren with one due in May. He is also survived by his brother David (Shirley) Halfmann; sister-in-laws Bernice Halfmann and Betsy Kalina. A special thank you goes to his caregivers, Inez Gonzales, Norma Martinez, Enedina Stewart and Leni Trivelli. Vigil service and rosary will be held at 6 PM, February 21, 2022 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall, Texas. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM, February 22, 2022 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Pallbearers will be Tyler Scott, Jake Halfmann, James Halfmann, Thomas Halfmann, Jordan Hall and Brandon Lange. Memorials may be made to the Adoration Chapel at St. Margaret of Scotland Church, Hospice of San Angelo or to a charity of your choice.