Ervin Edward Schilke

Ervin Edward Schilke was called to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ peacefully at MidMichigan Medical Center in West Branch with family members at his side Sunday, February 16, 2020. He was born December 29, 1924 to loving parents, Reinhold and Irene Schilke in Noonan, ND. He married Marion Lamb, his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, in Pocatello ID on May 9, 1943. They were married 73 years until her death in 2016.

Erv is survived by his children, Steve (Sharon) Schilke of Bay City, MI, Carol (Mike) Curtis of West Branch, MI, Martha (Richard) Grant of Riley, MI, and Linda (Dennis) LaTulip of West Branch, MI; grandchildren John (Bonny) Cardinell, Mark (Raechel) Schilke, Dawn (Lee) Meitler, Camille Craig, Scott (Laura) Grant, James (Sunshine) LaTulip, Jason LaTulip, Brett LaTulip, Michael (Kris) LaTulip, Brian (Kim) LaTulip, 31 great grandchildren, 9 great great grandchildren; brothers Arnold of Rochester Hills, Gerald of Oak Park, Robert (Berta) of Prescott. He was predeceased by wife, Marion, sister, Leah Hummel, great grandchildren, Tabitha Cardinell and Jeffery Craig.

Ervin enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August, 1943 and served on the highly decorated USS Barb submarine in the Pacific Theater in WWII as a Radioman Third Class. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal 1, Bronze Star and Victory medal. After the war, Erv and Marion moved to Rochester, MI in 1946 where they raised four children.

Erv was self-employed as a Master Plumber at Macland Plumbing & Heating in Rochester for nearly 50 years. In 1971, he moved his family to Alger, MI and developed and operated Greenwood Campground and Troll Landing Canoe Livery for 34 years.

He was heavily involved in Boy Scouts of America serving as leader, merit badge instructor and commissioner and was the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and the Order of the Arrow.

Above all, he considered his relationship with Jesus Christ the most important thing in his life. He was always looking out for others and found ways to help those in need. Erv served in leadership positions in every church where he was a member. Most recently he was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in West Branch serving as head elder for years.

He always found a way to insert his faith in all aspects of his life. Erv personally made about 10,000 witness bracelets for MOST (Mission Opportunity Short Term) Ministries for distribution during mission trips. He also went on two mission trips to Haiti to work on the water supply system at an orphanage.

Erv constantly was busy by finding projects to do around the house and he had a great love of fishing. He would go at the drop of a hat and as his mobility worsened, he found unique ways to get in and out of a boat. He lived by the saying “Faith, Family, Fishing & Fun”.

Visitation for Ervin will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 at the Steuernol and McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch from 3 – 8 p.m. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at St. John Lutheran Church in West Branch with visitation from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Pastor Howard Travis will officiate. Burial will be at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East in Clinton Twp., MI with Pastor Steve Schilke officiating.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 155 N. Fairview Street, West Branch, MI 48661 or MOST (Mission Opportunities Short Term) Ministries, 655 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com