Leonard Gene Erwin

WASHINGTON...Leonard Gene Erwin, 90, of Washington, formerly of Lowpoint, died at 5:32 a.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Maple Lawn Home in Eureka. Born on August 18, 1921 in Moultrie County, Illinois to Charles L. and Eugenia Peadro Erwin, he married Dorothea Mae Kern on January 19, 1946 in Garden City, Kansas. Dorothea passed away on April 28, 2008. Those surviving include three children, Rebecca Erwin of Washington, Charlotte (Robert) Poehlman of Washington and Leonard O. (Bridget) Erwin of Lewistown; six grandchildren, Nathan (Stacy) Poehlman of Hudson, Tami (Brad) Smull of St. Louis, Matthew (Veronica) Poehlman, Charles (Candie) Erwin of Quincy, Joseph Erwin of Lewistown and Margaret Erwin of Lewistown; seven great grandchildren and one sister, June Queen of Washington. Gene was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, John, Charles, Jr. and Robert. Gene graduated from Sullivan High School and Sparks Business College. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and then transferred to the Air Corps when it was formed. After World War II he enlisted in the Air Force, serving in Rapid City, South Dakota during the Korean War. During World War II, Gene was an Administrative NCO and served as Sargent Major of his squadron. Most of his military service was in the Pacific Theatre. Gene was employed at Caterpillar Tractor Company as a welder and in Time Study from 1945 until he retired in 1982. He was a member of the former Lowpoint United Methodist Church and is a current member of the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington. Gene was also a member of the Washburn American Legion for 59 years. Funeral services for Gene will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor John Hauck officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 until time of service on Saturday. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington. Military rites will be accorded by the United States Air Force and the Tazewell Military Rites Team. Mason-White Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Washington Rescue Squad or St. Jude?s Children?s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.