Mr. Earl  McKinley Madison, of Monessen, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2026, at the age of 87. Earl was born on January 9, 1939, to his beloved parents, Robert and Roberta Madison, and was surrounded by a large, loving family.

Earl's first step into adulthood led him to join the Marine Corps, where he served for several years. During that time, Earl traveled the world and experienced many things that became stories and memories he loved to share with others. One notable assignment included being stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After serving in the Marine Corps, Earl welcomed his first daughter in 1962, followed shortly by his first son in 1963. He joined the workforce, working at a steel mill and a tree-cutting company, helping to provide for his growing family.

Earl met Patricia Lee Colbert in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, shortly afterward. There, he continued to grow his family with Patricia and began working at Procter & Gamble, where he worked for 12 hardworking years. During his time there, Earl was nominated for an NAACP Award, which allowed him to manage his own team of workers. He later passed on his knowledge, skills, and strong work ethic, inspiring those around him to be the best at their jobs.

Earl had the pleasure of raising nine children and instilled in them the importance of love, discipline, respect, and hard work. He believed that "hard work will always get you where you need to be." He was a loving husband, father, brother, friend, and grandfather to his family and to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His rambunctious laugh brought joy to others, and he loved to poke fun and tease just to make people smile.

In addition to his parents, Earl was preceded in death by the love of his life, Patricia Lee Colbert; his loving daughter, Denise McCray; his paternal grandparents, Lee and Katie Nimmo; and his siblings: Napoleon Madison, Melvin Madison, Pearl Smith, Carl Madison, Thelma Wilson, Charles Madison, William Smith, James Smith, Carroll Smith, Mark Smith, Robert (Bob) Smith, Robert Madison Jr., Mary Madison, and Robert (June) Madison III.

His legacy lives on through his devoted children: Lawrence (Bubble) Colbert, Samuel Colbert, Tony Veada, James (Marchell) Colbert, Sherry (Jimmy) White, Anthony Colbert, Patti (Nathaniel) Shepard, and Earliene Madison; his siblings, Marie Smith, Norman Madison, Barbara Edwards, and Vivian Rogers; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:00 am until 11:00 am, on  Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy he leaves behind.

He will be laid to rest at Vine Street Hill Cemetery.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Madison family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory  is caring for the Madison family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.