RICHARD "DICK" ERLA,
87, of Cass City died following a short illness Monday, November 7, 2011 in Tuscola County Medical Care Facility, Caro. He was born September 1, 1924 in Hamtramck the third of 13 children born to John and Geneveve (Kowalski) Erla. He married Christine Marguerite Martinez January 19, 1946 in Imlay City.
Following high school graduation, Dick enlisted in the US Navy and was based at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego, CA. He worked as a Dental Technician. It was in the Dental chair that he met Christine who was also serving in the US Navy. After their service in the military they returned to the family farm in Imlay City and helped raise his younger brothers and sisters. In 1952 Dick completed a course by the Department of Vocational Agricultural. Dick and his mother took a chance and bought a frozen food locker in Cass City which they developed into a meat and grocery store where the family worked and prospered for many years. He was the president of Erla's Inc. retiring in 1985 after many years of service to the family business.
Dick was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church serving on many committees over the years. He was a member of Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus Council #8892. He was a member and former President of the Michigan Meat Association for over 30 years. He was a member of the American Legion Caro Post #7. Dick served on the draft board during the Vietnam War. He was also a former member of the Cass City Rotary helping many years with their pancake breakfast and was a member of the Cass City Chamber of Commerce. Dick would often take the kids to the stockyards in Marlette and Cass City when he was buying beef for the store. He was a hardcore Democrat and didn't mince words. He would tell you like it is but had a generous spirit if you needed something. Dick loved snowmobiling in years past and had found a new love in golfing with friends. He loved to feed and watch the birds. His greatest love was spending time with his grandsons.
Dick is survived by his wife, Christine; children: Yvonne (Bruce) LeValley of Cass City, Rick Erla of Hernando, MS; grandsons: Trent (Mindy) LeValley, Nathan LeValley; Mindy's son, Brendon; brothers: Don (Mary Lou) Erla of Cass City, Dan (Marlene) Erla of Cass City, Chuck (Agnes) Erla of Cass City, Arnold (Sharon) Erla of Cass City, Clark (Pat) Erla of Florence, AZ; sisters: Lorraine Klimas of Sterling Heights, Delphine McKillop of Imlay City, Doris (Tom) Sieland of Kennesaw, GA, Marilyn Erla of Cass City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Russell; sisters: infant, Eleanor; Florence (Stanley) Pijanowski, Gertrude Erla; brothers-in-law: Ted Klimas and Spike McKillop.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Bala and Sr. Maria Dina Puddu MC officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Erla: LaVern Rutkoski, Bob Butucel, Ron Patera, Bob Hirn, Daryl Iwankovitsch and David House. Memorials may be made to Tuscola County Meals on Wheels, St. Pancratius Catholic Church or Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus Council #8892. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
Vigil Service 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church – Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
87, of Cass City died following a short illness Monday, November 7, 2011 in Tuscola County Medical Care Facility, Caro. He was born September 1, 1924 in Hamtramck the third of 13 children born to John and Geneveve (Kowalski) Erla. He married Christine Marguerite Martinez January 19, 1946 in Imlay City.
Following high school graduation, Dick enlisted in the US Navy and was based at the Naval Repair Base in San Diego, CA. He worked as a Dental Technician. It was in the Dental chair that he met Christine who was also serving in the US Navy. After their service in the military they returned to the family farm in Imlay City and helped raise his younger brothers and sisters. In 1952 Dick completed a course by the Department of Vocational Agricultural. Dick and his mother took a chance and bought a frozen food locker in Cass City which they developed into a meat and grocery store where the family worked and prospered for many years. He was the president of Erla's Inc. retiring in 1985 after many years of service to the family business.
Dick was a member of St. Pancratius Catholic Church serving on many committees over the years. He was a member of Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus Council #8892. He was a member and former President of the Michigan Meat Association for over 30 years. He was a member of the American Legion Caro Post #7. Dick served on the draft board during the Vietnam War. He was also a former member of the Cass City Rotary helping many years with their pancake breakfast and was a member of the Cass City Chamber of Commerce. Dick would often take the kids to the stockyards in Marlette and Cass City when he was buying beef for the store. He was a hardcore Democrat and didn't mince words. He would tell you like it is but had a generous spirit if you needed something. Dick loved snowmobiling in years past and had found a new love in golfing with friends. He loved to feed and watch the birds. His greatest love was spending time with his grandsons.
Dick is survived by his wife, Christine; children: Yvonne (Bruce) LeValley of Cass City, Rick Erla of Hernando, MS; grandsons: Trent (Mindy) LeValley, Nathan LeValley; Mindy's son, Brendon; brothers: Don (Mary Lou) Erla of Cass City, Dan (Marlene) Erla of Cass City, Chuck (Agnes) Erla of Cass City, Arnold (Sharon) Erla of Cass City, Clark (Pat) Erla of Florence, AZ; sisters: Lorraine Klimas of Sterling Heights, Delphine McKillop of Imlay City, Doris (Tom) Sieland of Kennesaw, GA, Marilyn Erla of Cass City; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his infant son, Russell; sisters: infant, Eleanor; Florence (Stanley) Pijanowski, Gertrude Erla; brothers-in-law: Ted Klimas and Spike McKillop.
Funeral service held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church with Rev. Paul Bala and Sr. Maria Dina Puddu MC officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. Pallbearers for Mr. Erla: LaVern Rutkoski, Bob Butucel, Ron Patera, Bob Hirn, Daryl Iwankovitsch and David House. Memorials may be made to Tuscola County Meals on Wheels, St. Pancratius Catholic Church or Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus Council #8892. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com.
Visitation: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home – Cass City
Vigil Service 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 in Kranz Funeral Home - Cass City
10 to 11 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 in St. Pancratius Catholic Church – Cass City
Arrangements by
Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan
Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195
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