Rev. Robert “Bob” D. Ervin

Rev. Robert “Bob” D. Ervin, Sr., age 87, of Sherman, passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at Villa Health Rehab in Sherman, Illinois.

Pastor Bob was born July 28, 1930 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of John Samuel and Vera Viola (Purviance) Ervin.

He married Phyllis Ann Smith on June 14, 1953 at the Niantic Christian Church in Niantic, Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; son, Dan (Kathleen) Ervin; two daughters, Gayle (Dan) Blair and Marcey Ervin (Keith Kopecky); grandchildren, Colin Blair, Cait (Brian) Boatman, McKenna (Andrew) Severns, John Ervin, Will (Rebecca) Ervin, Nora Lowe Ervin, and Kendra Ellis (Jeff Williams); three great-grandchildren, Kyla Ellis, Cole Boatman, and Griffin Boatman; a sister, Arlene (Jerry) Buster; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pastor Bob is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Rosalee Warren.

He was a United Methodist minister for over 45 years, most recently at the Middletown United Methodist Church.  He retired from E.L. Pruitt after 29 years.

Pastor Bob enjoyed woodworking, fishing, farming, and model railroading.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Mott & Henning Funeral Home in Athens.  An additional visitation will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 10:00 AM until time of funeral services at 11:00 AM at the Cantrall United Methodist Church. Burial will be held at Walnut Hill Cemetery near Williamsville.

Rev. Paulette Cott will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to the American Cancer Society.