Earl A. Bollinger was born November 4, 1925 the firat of eleven children born to Alonzo Earl Bollinger and Anna Mae Vandergriff Bollinger. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Even at a very young age, first scout Earl Bollinger, spearheaded a push during The Battle of the Bulge that would subsequently end his military field career, resulting in a serious injury and eventually leading to his decoration of a purple heart and bronze star. After his long recuperation and subsequent release from the hospital, he began work in the Fredericktown area lead mine.
Working hard to fit his education in among his family time, politcal career, and his full time work Earl attneded nights and summers at Flat River Junior College, graduating in 1959. He then attended Southeast Missouri Stae University, eventually earning a dregree in education. his political career began with his election to the position of Madison County Circuit Clerk at the age of 23. He later served the same county as a democrat in the Missouir House of Representatives from 1959- 1966, filling the roles of assistant floor leader and majority whip in the 71st General Assembly. He was a special advisor to governor Warren Hearnes to handle his legislation on the House side. He was also selected to meet jointly with the Senate side in settling apprpriation between the two houses.
While Earl was a state representative he sponsored the bill that created the present Junior college system in Missouri, in which MAC became the first to organize in 1965. He served two terms on the MAC board of trustees from 1968-1980. He was on the board when classe were temporarily housed in Quonset huts on MAC's present site, whenthe main buildings were being built that the college occupies today. He was also on the board when those Quonset huts unexectedly burned down in 1970 before construction was completed, necessitating classes be tempororarily relocated to Farmington High School.
Earl finished his professional career as Post Master in Fredericktown retiring after 20 years of service in 1985. Because of Earl's continuous service to his churc, community, and his nation the awards and accolades never ceased. As late as May 8th of this year during the 86th commencement exercises at Mineral Area College, Earl received the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his dedication to higher education. Earl will be sorely missed.
Earl is survived by his wife of 64 years Carleda, two daughter Arla and her husband Randy Mitchel, Andrea and her husban Alan Peoples, four grandchildren Paige and her husband Kevin Glass, Matthew and his wife Erika Hill, Jacob Peoples and Sarah Peoples. Three great grandchildren Matthew Hill, and Kaylee an Rylee Peoples. One brother Don Bollinger of Titusville, Florida, Five sisters Alma Henson of Columbia, Almedica McDaniel of Columbia, Rose Cooper of Crawfordville, Georgia, Doris Lohse of Amarillo, Texas and Carol LaChance of Fredericktown and several nieces, nephews. Preceding him death his father Alonzo Earl Bollinger, his mother Anna Mae Vandergriff Bollinger, infant brother Perry Joe Bollinger, Norman Bollinger, infant sister June Ruth Bollinger and sister Anne Madison.