Mr. Earl Finley was born on December 10, 1936, in Utica, Illinois, and grew up on a farm during the Great Depression as the fifth of six boys. He often reflects on his parents’ sacrifices and proudly shares, “They were great parents, and I couldn’t be more proud of them both.”

After graduating high school in Mendota, Illinois, Earl joined the Army in 1955 and served for two years. He later worked in farming before becoming a rural mail carrier, a job he loved for 25 years—especially the opportunity to meet new people.

Earl married Pat Young in 1957, and they had two sons, Don and Steve. Later in life, he reconnected with Jane, the love of his life, whom he had known since childhood. They married in 1997 and spent 21 years in Surprise, Arizona, before moving to Madison. Earl shares, “Jane is the love of my life, and we have had a wonderful 28 years together.”

Earl is very proud of his family—Don, a retired Air Force veteran, and Steve, who continues the family farming tradition. Today, Earl enjoys puzzles, reading, and playing cards with fellow residents in the “604 King’s Card Club.” He and Jane were among the first residents to move into Monark Grove when it opened, and they have loved being part of the community ever since.