Earl Clinedinst, age 67, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Morrow Manor in Chesterville, Ohio.
He was born on January 1, 1959, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the son of Hugh “Gene” and Bessie (Ridenbaugh) Clinedinst.
Earl was a 1977 graduate of Mount Vernon High School and proudly served his country in the United States Army.
Following his military service, Earl began his career as a Ferrari and Porsche specialist with Midwestern Auto Group in Columbus, Ohio. Although he enjoyed working with high-performance automobiles, his heart was always in Mount Vernon. He eventually returned home and fulfilled his dream of owning his own business, Duke’s Quick Lube, where he earned the respect and friendship of countless customers throughout the community.
A true gearhead at heart, Earl had a lifelong passion for anything with an engine. He loved fast cars and spent many summers at the drag strip racing his beloved 55 Chevy, Maggie. He also cherished the time spent racing motorcycles alongside his late brother, John William Clinedinst. As the years passed, Earl traded the racetrack for leisurely rides through the countryside on his treasured purple Harley-Davidson, enjoying the freedom of the open road.
Earl was a proud veteran and an active member of AMVETS Post #95, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Colonial City Moose Lodge. He valued the friendships he made through these organizations and enjoyed spending time with his fellow veterans and friends.
Earl will be remembered for his mechanical talent, his generous spirit, his unmistakable love of horsepower, and the loyalty he showed to his family and friends. Whether he was under the hood of a car, at the drag strip, or riding his Harley, Earl lived life on his own terms and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
His memory will be forever treasured by all whose lives he touched.
He is survived by his daughter, Ashley (Brandon Baumgardner) Clinedinst of Bellville, and her children, Elyza, Hadley, and Krew, daughter in law, Kerra Clinedinst of Mount Vernon, and her children, Kingston, Kamille, Kye and Kue, a brother, Tom Clinedinst of Mount Vernon, two sisters, Susan Loney and Brenda Collins, both of Mount Vernon, and the mother of his children, Kathleen (Rine) Swanger.
Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his son Kevin Clinedinst (2021) and a brother, John William Clinedinst.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, from 11 am to 1 pm at the Snyder Funeral Home, Lasater Chapel, 11337 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050 where a funeral service will begin at 1 pm. Rev. Marvin Haught will be officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions in Earl’s name may be made to the Knox/Licking Suicide Prevention Awareness.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Home, Lasater Chapel of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Earl Clinedinst.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Home, Lasater Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com