Earl L. Altman

Funeral services were held Sept. 3, 2021, at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia for Earl L. Altman, 88, of Columbia, who passed away Aug. 29. Interment was at Darbun Mormon Cemetery in Darbun. Bishop James Ochenrider officiated. Music was performed by Marc and Rachel Gatlin. Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia handled the arrangements.
Mr. Altman was born and raised in South Georgia to hardworking parents. He was the oldest of three children. He joined the Army around 1950 and served in Alaska as a heavy equipment operator. He was also an expert carpenter, a talent inherited from his father. With these combined skills, he became the best handyman around.
After the Army and newly married, he took a job in a papermill in Jacksonville, Fla. Papermaking became his life’s work. As he moved several times, gaining experience with each move, he settled his family in Monticello in 1967 with St. Regis Paper Company. He retired after 45 years in the business with the nickname “Booger.” Besides work and several hobbies, he enjoyed watching his granddaughters play basketball. From jr. high to high school to college, he made every game he possibly could. His love and support were always evident. He always acknowledged his grands and great-grands were special blessings from above.
Since retirement, he had dedicated himself to helping people. From rehab to missionaries, he ministered to whomever the Lord put in his path. He and Ms. Ruth were active in every aspect of their church, having several responsibilities. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel Melvin and Nancy Eva Herrin Altman; and one great-grandchild, Levi Johnson.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Marion Pittman Altman, of Columbia; one son, Danny Altman (Cheri), of Bogue Chitto; one daughter, Debbie Altman, of Summit; one stepson, David Scott Willoughby (Sheri), of Idaho Falls, Idaho; one stepdaughter, Ronda Ross (Darrell), of Oak Grove; one brother, Robert Lynn Altman, of Ringgold, Ga.; one sister, Sharon Altman, of Ringgold, Ga.; 13 grandchildren, Lindsay Altman Johnson (Jordan), of Ruth; Jessica Altman Medlin (Erik), of Brookhaven; Lou Ann Altman Langston (Jacob), of Denham Springs, La.; Aislinn Barnes, of Bountiful, Utah; Aonika Russell (Rick), of Layton, Utah; Cameron Ross (Jessica), of Chapel Hill, Tenn.; Ashley Carter, of Tooele, Utah; Shana Richardson, of Cedar Park, Texas; Benjamin Willoughby (Jessica), of Blackfoot, Idaho; Max Willoughby (Alison), of Odenton, Md.; Stephanie Willoughby, of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Courtney Lynch (Alan), of Colorado Springs, Colo.; David Willoughby (Paige), of Orem, Utah; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Erik Medlin, Jacob Langston, Scotty McCloud, Bobby Davis, Tracy Vince, and Elder Aisea.