Erwin A. "Erv" Behme, 88, of Carlinville, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at Heritage Health Care in Carlinville.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville with the Rev. Michael Haag officiating. Burial was held in Mace Cemetery in rural Carlinville, where military rites were performed by American Legion Guy Baird Post 554.
Mr. Behme was born Jan. 4, 1931, in Carlinville, to Henry C. and Clara (Rhodes) Behme. He married Barbara Beasley on Feb. 13, 1954, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, and she preceded him in death.
He retired after 49 years as a maintenance supervisor from Prairie Farms Dairy in Carlinville. He served his country as an Airman 2nd Class in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
A member of Ss. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, he was a member of B.P.O.E. #1412 and American Legion Guy Baird Post #554.
For 45-plus years, he bowled on the Elks League. He and his wife were lifetime members of the "Nifty Fifties" card club. They also enjoyed wintering in the south for many years.
He is survived by two daughters, Deborah (John) O'Brien of Carlinville and Terri (Brad) Mitchell of Litchfield; son, Stephen Behme of Blythewood, SC; two granddaughters, Leslie Mitchell and Alyssa Behme; four grandsons, Nick (Hanna) O'Brien, Sean O'Brien, Carter Behme and Tristan Behme; three great-grandchildren, Josie, Lexie and Lanie O'Brien; brother, Carl Behme of Carlinville; two sisters, Verna Knudson of Carlinville and Esther Fagerburg of New Britain, CT; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Henry and Floyd Behme, and sisters, Stella Coffey, Lela Robinson, Irene Peacock, Iva Loveless and Myrtle Karrick.
Memorials may be made to St. Vincint DePaul, which serves the Carlinville School District area.
Online condolences may be left at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.
