Earl J. "Lefty" Place, 88, of Barryton, went peacefully home to the Lord on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at his home. Earl was born to Alvin and Iva (Crump) Place in Royal Oak, MI on May 7, 1923. He came to live in Barryton with the Sloan family at age ten. He married Helen Jane Teeter of Brinton, MI on March 8, 1952 in Barryton, MI. Earl was a member of Brinton Chapel in Lake where he served as an elder. His church and family were the most important things in his life. He was also an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, bowler, and farmer. Earl was employed with Holley Carburetor for many years. He was later employed as a custodian at Chippewa Hills High School until his retirement at age 65 in 1989. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Helen (Teeter) Place; four sons, Clyde (Denise) Place of Barryton; Richard (Brenda Bennett) Place of Lake; Martin (Barbara) Place of Sears; Mitchell (Connie) Place of Byron Center; three daughters, Debra (Jim) Weber of Stanton; Janell (Roger) Fox of Farwell; Susan (Bill) Bellinger of Coleman, 23 grandchildren and their spouses, ten great-grandchildren and several sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Iva (Crump) Place; three brothers, Wilbur, Elmer, and Glen; one sister, Myrlea; his foster parents, Clyde and Edith Sloan; three foster sisters, Hazel, Pearl and Lola; and several sisters and brothers-in-law. Services will be at Daggett Funeral Home in Barryton on Monday, August 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at North Brinton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Woodland Hospice of Mt. Pleasant or Brinton Chapel.