Rev. Earle R. Custer ... enjoyed pitching softball; at 91

DOVER - The Rev. Earle R. Custer, 91, of Dover, died peacefully at Watson Fields on April 2, 2023. He was born in Spencer, Iowa in 1931 and grew up on a farm in Rowena, S.D., with his parents, Earl and Jennie Custer, his brother Paul and cattle, pigs and goats. He attended high school and Augustana University in Sioux Falls, S.D. and graduated from Morningside College in 1953. Having decided to go into the Methodist ministry, he received a Master's of theology at Drew University and later, a Master's in pastoral counseling at Boston University.

He met Diana Miller at Drew. They married and had three sons, David, Todd and Michael. He enjoyed five grandchildren and a great-grandson. He served Methodist churches in Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Massachusetts and Connecticut. He married Judith Agasi in 1987 and served UMC churches in Conway, Ctr. Conway and Dover.

Earle attended the Ecumenical Institute in Chicago, which encouraged his interest in social action. He went to Selma, Ala., joining the march for racial justice and to Washington to protest the Vietnam War. He promoted women's rights and the rights of LGBTQ individuals.

Earle loved pitching softball, playing tennis, basketball, ping-pong, golf and cards. He played poker monthly with five other Methodist ministers for over 30 years.