Earl Dean Sloan, 81, passed away unexpectedly on December 26, 2021 in Mercer, Wisconsin. Born in Carbondale, Illinois, Earl spent a large part of his life living and working in Milwaukee, where he met Ramona, the woman who would become his wife. They married in 1963 and worked and raised their family together until 1993 when they were able to retire and relocate to Mercer to live in the house by a lake that they always dreamed of. They stayed devoted to each other until Ramona's passing in 2018 after a prolonged illness. A lifelong sportsman, Earl's passions were hunting, fishing, and boating. He was also a lover of animals, caring for many rescue dogs over the years, always being sure to keep his many bird feeders well-stocked, leaving out food for squirrels and deer, and occasionally shooing a wandering bear out of his backyard. Earl laughed easily and was a natural storyteller. He loved country music and was an avid fan of old movies, maintaining a large collection of classic western and war films. Earl lived his long life as a hard worker, a dedicated husband and father, a proud grandpa, and a caretaker for his cherished pit bull, Sadie. He will be greatly missed by all of his many friends and loved ones. He is survived by his daughter, Christine; his sons, Gordon, Dale, and Matthew, as well as his son-in-law, Jay; daughters-in-law, Linda, Megan, and Tona; grandchildren, Ryan, Cora, and Sawyer; and great-grandchildren, Caden, Nivea, Nova, and Moxie. Donations in Earl's honor can be made to any local animal shelter or nature conservancy organization. The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Earl's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.