Earl Frank Furbish was born March 13, 1937 in Augusta, Maine. Mr. Furbish attended Atlantic Union College where he met his first wife, Martha Anita Skuce, the mother of his daughters.  Mr. Furbish went on to build a career with the Sunbelt Adventist Hospital Systems, where he was Director of Food Services for Walker Memorial Hospital in Avon Park, Florida, and Smyrna Adventist Hospital in Smyrna, Georgia.  He was also an active member of HIEFSS (Hospital Institutional Educational Food Services Society) during this tenure. In the early 1980’s Earl moved to Chicago where he eventually met his second wife and love of his life, Nancy Merchant Kern. They went on to own and operate multiple nursing homes outside of the Detroit, Michigan area. Earl and Nancy lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan until her death in 2001. 

Earl then retired and moved to Rutherford County (where Nancy is laid to rest), and took a job at the Lake Lure Inn, where he became an integral and much beloved member of their team. Mr. Furbish fully retired at the age of 82, and moved to Forest City, where he became a Member of the First United Methodist Church and enjoyed serving the community and volunteering as an ordained Stephen’s Ministry minister. He was also very active in the Senior Center of Spindale, where he enjoyed many friendships.  As his health began to fail, Earl moved to Georgia in 2022 to be closer to his daughters. After many health challenges, Mr. Furbish died peacefully in his sleep on October 8, 2025.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents Jarius and Laura Furbish, his sister Ermina Furbish Condon, his brother Robert Wilmont, his grandsons Christopher Lance McFalls, and Dustin Daniel McFalls. He is survived by his daughters Melodie Furbish Salter (James), and Melissa Furbish, his grandson Dylan McFalls (Jordan), and his great grandchildren, Lily Scott, Wyatt McFalls, and Grace McFalls.  Mr. Furbish will be laid to rest in the graveyard of Mt Vernon Baptist Church in Rutherfordton, next to his beloved Nancy.

A Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Forest City, Monday October 27. 2025 with the Reverend Bill Roberts officiating. Visitation will be from 1 until 2 o’clock at the church prior to the service.  Interment will be private for the immediate family. 

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com