Earl "Rick" McLaughlin, 80, of Mercer, PA, passed away on January 4, 2025 of natural causes. Earl was born to Earl and Dorothy McLaughlin on December 20, 1944. Though his name was Earl, many knew him as Rick. Earl was a graduate of Grove City High School before becoming an expert welder at Cooper Bessemer.

In 1983, Earl married the love of his life, Christine Parker. Together, they produced his pride and joy - son Cody, and daughter Roxanne.

Earl was an outdoorsman of days gone by. He loved hunting, fishing, shooting trap, 3D archery, and golfing. A self-taught gunsmith, you could always find Earl bedding a rifle, customizing a trigger job, or tuning something on his bow. You will never meet another man with such amazing proficiency with both a rifle and a bow. That's why some people dubbed him "The King." He was shooting till the very end, and there was no doubt. He still had it. On the golf course, it was "Fairway Earl" because he never missed off the tee.

Some of Earl's favorite memories were going north to hunt groundhogs, family trips to Cook Forest, and 3D archery competitions where he competed with Cody. Earl's time with his kids and grandkids meant the world to him. Earl's old Indian stories forever shaped our family, and we will continue his legacy.

A lover of all things Rock N Roll, if Earl was awake, the radio was on. Depending on the song, you may notice he was a MASTER air guitar player. His favorite song was Fred Bear by Ted Nugent. The lyrics "in the wind, he's still alive" are fitting, as anyone who knew him will never forget Earl.

The legend of Earl is continued by his wife Christine and their children, Cody (Carly) McLaughlin and Roxanne (Mitch Boyd) McLaughlin, as well as his beloved grandchildren: his Number 1 Buddypal Neven Christian, Anberlin Scarlett, and Onyx Angelica, as well as his best friend: Jon Gildersleeve.

We're not alone when we're in the great outdoors. We got his spirit. We got his soul.

I love you Big E. Thanks for making me a simple kind of man. Let's go huntin', baby.

Who loves ya, babe?

Earl "Rick" McLaughlin

Earl "Rick" McLaughlin

Earl "Rick" McLaughlin

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