ARTHUR ERVIN

VILLA RIDGE, Ill. -- Arthur S. Ervin Jr., 73, of Villa Ridge died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 21, 1927, in Pulaski County in Illinois, son of Arthur and Josie Schultz Ervin Sr.

He was a veteran U.S. Army, serving in the Korean Conflict. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers Dam 53 in Grand Chain, Ill.

Ervin was an active member for 50 years of the Caledonia Masonic Lodge 47 in Pulaski, Ill., having served as Past Master. He also was an active member of the Caledonia Chapter 587 Order of the Eastern Star.

He attended the Center Methodist Church in Olmsted, Ill.

Survivors include his wife, Wanda Bankson Ervin of Villa Ridge; three daughters, Alyce Giltner of Villa Ridge and Marla Hardesty and Colleen Buckles, both of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Faymel Bergfeld of Aurora, Ill., and Viola Bagby of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, William Ervin of Inverness, Fla., and Marvin Ervin of Dongola, Ill.; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by twin grandsons and a sister, Leona Clayton.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Barkett Funeral Home in Mounds, Ill. Masonic Rites will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. The Revs. Larry Miller, Kenny Baker and Verlee Eaker will officiate, with burial in Liberty Cemetery in Pulaski.