Earl George Depner

Earl George Depner was born on a homestead outside of Edgar, Montana on November 12, 1917 and passed away January 23, 2022 at 104 years old. During those years he led an adventurous life.

Earl was the third of what would eventually be nine children. He was born to Martin and Katherine (Gerber) Depner. Earl graduated from Billings High School and entered what was then the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor. He proudly served with the 356th Fighter Squadron during WWII. During his service he flew a P-51 escorting bombers over Germany where he was shot down and bailed out breaking seven ribs upon his landing. He was rescued by an American patrol and lived to fight another day. He earned the Purple Heart for this action. During separate missions, he shot down a German fighter and destroyed 1-1/2 aircraft on the ground. He stayed in the Air Force after the war and saw action in Korea. He finally retired as a full Colonel in 1965 after 24 years of service.

In 1959 he married Rosanna Loscalzo of New York City, and together they raised two boys. The family moved from New York State to Albuquerque, NM. Later they moved to Colorado and settled in Monument in 1973. He continued flying, working for a small charter air taxi service in Colorado Springs. After flying, he worked other jobs like realtor and was an active participant at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He was also a Knight of Columbus, which he had joined when he was twenty, and assisted them in their charitable projects. He kept active and on his feet well into his 100s.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gladys, Helen, Sr. Mary (SCL Sisters of Charity at Leavenworth) and Rita, also brothers Arnold and Arthur. He is survived by his sister Patricia and brother Edwin. He is also survived by his sons George (Donna) and Martin (Veronica), and six grandchildren: Isbel, Matthew, Anthony, Noah, Brandon, and Martin.

A service will be held Friday, January 28th at St. Peter’s in Monument. There will be a viewing at 9:00 AM, a Rosary at 9:30, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00. For livestream, go to www.petertherock.org. In lieu of flowers, the family please requests donations be made to the Diocese of Colorado Springs Respect Life office.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the Depner family.