Carlos Wayne Earl, age 86 of Wilmington, Illinois, died Saturday, January 20, 2024 at the Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet, Illinois.

Born January 11, 1938 in Southmayd, Texas, Carlos Wayne was a son of John and Barbara (Harvey) Earl. 

He was raised in Southmayd and Whitesboro, Texas, and graduated from Whitesboro with the Class of 1956. 

Wayne then served honorably in the United States Navy between the years of 1957 and 1965. He completed U.S. Navy Nuclear Power School in 1961 and served on several submarines, including the USS Guavina, USS Trout, USS Picuda, and the USS James Monroe where he was a plank owner.

Wayne worked for Texas Instruments in Plano, Texas, and General Electric in Fayetteville, Arkansas, until 1972 when we moved to Illinois and worked for General Electric Company’s Morris Operation until he retired in 2000. 

He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and United States Submarines Veterans Inc. 

Wayne also took pleasure in gardening and maintaining his yard, and he enjoyed country western dancing.

Survivors include his wife, Paulette Earl of Wilmington, and his son, David (Julie) Earl of Minooka, Illinois; four grandchildren: Alexander and Andrew Earl and Gracie and Carlin Quinn, all of Minooka; and many brothers and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and brothers and sisters: J.W. Earl, Emmett Earl, Arietta Ders, Billie Earl, Zora Strieb, Louise Hankins, Mozell Hazelwood, Ruby Linstead, Beulah Mae Akin, and Nina Faye Ford.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 1:00 p.m.

Burial with full military honors will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Wayne’s memory to Lightways Hospice in Joliet or to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Wayne’s memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.