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Donald  Ervin

Donald George Ervin

February 8th, 1928 - September 23rd, 2022

Donald's Obituary

Donald George, Ervin, 94, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away, Friday, September 23, 2022 at Woodland Terrace in Bridgman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, October 29, 2022, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 am. Private burial will take place at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Memorial donations in Don’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research or Caring Circle Hospice. Those wishing to sign Don’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Don was born February 8, 1928 in Elkhart, Indiana to George W. & Violet (Whitesell) Ervin. He attended Benton Harbor High School before joining the US Army, serving during WWII. On June 28, 1947, he married the former Mary Books in Benton Harbor. Don worked for twenty years for Producers Creamery in Benton Harbor, starting as a delivery man before working in production. Don then decided to follow his dreams and his fascination with all things train related and opened Mr. Don’s Hobby Shop in downtown Stevensville, which he operated for ten years before retiring.

While his children were in school, he served on the Sorter School PTO and was a scout leader. Don enjoyed woodworking and flower gardening and was a jack of all trades. He built two homes and was always remodeling or improving things around the house. While living in Hartford, Don contributed many hours to building the Hartford float for the Blossom Parade. He was a long-time member of Crystal Springs Church of God and always put his God and his Church at the top of his priorities.

Don is survived by his wife of seventy-five years-Mary; three daughters-Connie (Melvin) Richter of Indianapolis, Patricia (Wayne) Griffin & Cherie (Gerald) Malzon, both of St. Joseph; seven grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law Donald Ertman of Watervliet; and numerous nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings-Darlene Ertman, Kathleen Gerring, Edward & Orville Ervin.

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