Earl "Don" Erwin

Sept. 26, 1934 - Sept. 26, 2013

Don Erwin passed away from liver cancer at home with his family by his side. He was 79.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 53 years, three brothers, one sister, four children, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Born Sept. 26, 1934 to Spencer and Conna Oleta in Pauls Valley, Okla., Don was the second of six children. He was raised in Oklahoma and Mendota. He graduated from Savanna High School, Oklahoma in 1952. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army.

Don married Jennie Bowser on March 6, 1960. They have four children, Donald (Lori) Erwin, Becki (Tony) Howlett, Conna (Doug) Nelson, and Helen Erwin.

He settled with his family in Ceres in 1970. In 1974, he retired from the Army after 22 years of service and then worked various jobs in the area. He began umpiring in 1963. In those 48 years, he "called ball" in Alaska, around Fort Ord Army base, Modesto, Rainbow Fields, and senior softball tournaments in five western states including Arizona and St. George, Utah.

Don was a member of Waterford VFW #9679; Order of Eastern Star Ceres Chapter #296 and the new Turlock Chapter; Associate Bethel Guardian #171 Ceres Job's Daughters International; American Legion #0491. He was a Master Mason of Smyrna Lodge #532 Free and Accepted Masons and received the Hiram Award in 2013.

A graveside services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. at Burwood Cemetery, 28320 E. River Rd., Escalon.
Remembrances may be sent to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356; and American Cancer Society, 3440 McHenry Avenue, Suite A12, Modesto CA 95350.

-Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Wednesday, October 9, 2013