Donald R. Erwin

Donald R. Erwin, 76, of Belleville, IL, born Thursday, October 12, 1933, in E. St. Louis, IL , died Monday, January 11, 2010 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

Don was employed at International Shoe in St. Louis, MO for 7 years and retired from Callison Liquor Company in April 2006, after working there for 36 years as a salesman.

Don attended Slade Grade School, Clark Junior High School and East Side High School.  He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for three years during the Korean War.

He was a volunteer with Midway Fire Department while living in E. St. Louis and then, when moving to Belleville, a volunteer fireman with Signal Hill Fire Department.  

Don coached Khoury League for 5 years at Midway Fire Department in E. St. Louis, IL was a member of the Knights of Columbus 592 and the Shiloh Eagles Club.  He was an avid fan of the local sports teams, especially the St. Louis Cardinals and the Rams and attended many games.  He enjoyed the hobby of golf with a passion with his monthly group of friends and retired men on Mondays.  He also so enjoyed his noon luncheons with the men on Monday's at Fischer's Restaurant.

In the first years of his married life, he belonged to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Belleville, where he was the President of the Men's Club and now is a present member of St. Henry's Catholic Church and Men's Club of Belleville, IL.

He was preceded in death by his:

• Parents: Clifton and Inez, Erwin

He is survived by his:

• Wife: Marjo, nee Cipfl, Erwin of 53 years,
  • whom he married August 18, 1956 at St. Patrick's Church by the Rev. Bernard Pender
• Two Daughters
  • Donna (Coyet) Mitchell
  • Marilee Erwin Wieland
• Grandson: Nicholas (His pride and joy)
• Brother: Ralph (Jean) Erwin and family
• Brother-in-Laws and Sister-in-Laws
  • Nelson and Dolores Kleyer and family
  • Dr. Joseph and Linda Cipfl and family
• Close relatives: many friends and his golf buddies and wives.

This past year has been so hard on Don, but now he is in God's arms for safekeeping.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy, Masses at St. Henry's Catholic Church, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or American Lung Association.

Visitation:  Friends may call from 1:00-8:00 pm, Thursday, January 14 at the Kurrus Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.  Prayer service will be held at 1:00 p.m.

Funeral:  Funeral procession will leave at 9:30 am on Friday, January 15, 2010 from Kurrus Funeral Home for a 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Henry Catholic Church, with Father Kenneth York officiating. Entombment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.

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