SALISBURY - Earl Harlen Dize Jr., 79, died May 4, 2018, at Coastal Hospice At The Lake in Salisbury. Born in Crisfield, his parents were the late Earl Harlen Dize Sr. and Alice W. Dize.
At age 17, he joined the U.S. Army and retired after eight years as a Sergeant. In 1964, he became a Deputy Sheriff for Wicomico County, and went on to serve under five sheriffs, retiring in 1990.
He then became a correctional officer for Wicomico County, retiring in 2004, and worked at Hebron landfill from 2007 until 2017. He served Wicomico County for over 53 years. He received the Governor's Citation of Honor in 1990 from Gov. William Donald Schaefer.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Patsy Nock Dize of Salisbury; his sister, Carolyn Mason; four children, Michelle Kline, Bonnie Jester, Tammy O'Grady and Mike Dize; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and two stepchildren, Wally Mariner and Vicky Bradford. He was preceded in death by his brother, George Harlen Dize, who died in the Vietnam War in 1968.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 8, 2018, at the Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Inurnment will be private at Lewis Cemetery in Willards.