A funeral service took place Oct. 21 at the Cornerstone Church of Christ, Jersey City, for Deacon Earl C. Lewis. He died at home Oct. 15. Deacon Lewis was born in Tampa, Fla. to the late Edward and Susie Lewis. He was the third oldest of eight children. Deacon Lewis attended the Jersey City Public School System in his formative years. In 1965 he entered the U.S. Army and served honorably for three years. He was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign and Vietnam Service Medals, Parachute Badge Sharpshooter and Expert Badge Medals. Earl was employed as a foreman for 26 years in the Jersey City Parks, Forestry and Recreation Department. He also worked as a drug counselor for the Veterans Administration for several years before retiring in December 2002. On Sept. 27, 2003, Earl married Geneva Bentley. He remained a devoted husband, father, grandfather and community servant throughout his life. He was a devoted deacon of the Sanctified Church of Jesus Christ in Jersey City. One of the proudest moments in Earl’s life was the completion of half of his theological training at the United Bible Training College in Jersey City. He would have received his degree in June 2010. Deacon Lewis was predeceased by his brother Edward Lewis Jr. and sister Denise Biassey. Surviving to cherish Earl’s memory are his wife, Geneva BentleyLewis; his children, Earl C. Jr., Edward C., Terrence E., Gregory D. Lewis and Earl C. Thomas, Alicia R. Lewis and Earlisa C. Flint; his brothers, Roy and Russell Lewis; his sisters, Arnette George, Linda Lewis and Charlene Browne; 14 grandchildren; his aunt, Ossie Mae Crawford; his nephew, James Lewis, and a host of other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends. Services arranged by the Jackson Funeral Residence, Jersey City.