Friday, March 29, 2024

Robert A. Ehrstein – Obituary

Robert A. Ehrstein, age 89, of Grand Chain, passed away at 5:45 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Southgate Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Metropolis.

Robert was born November 20, 1925 in Grand Chain, the son of George and Apollonia “Lonie” Evers Ehrstein.

Robert received an Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps after serving in WWII in the 3rd Marine Division.  He served in the South Pacific Theatre, was involved in landing in Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Tarawa.  He was a member of St. Catherine Alexandria Catholic Church in Grand Chain, Lewis Pharas American Legion Post #178 in Villa Ridge, and the VFW Post #8891 in Mounds.  Robert was a lifetime grain farmer in Pulaski County managing Ehrstein Farms and a heavy equipment operator including drag lines.  He loved to race boats on the Ohio River and area lakes and loved to fish.  Robert was an avid upland game bird hunter as was evident by many years of hunting trips to Nebraska with his pals, JC, Gus, Haddie and Al.

He is survived by one brother, George Ehrstein Jr. of Florida; three nieces, Lindsey Diana of Florida, Sarah Bernth (Eric) Valparaiso, IN, Rebecca Steward (Jim) of Michigan; two nephews, Fred Ehrstein (Joan) of Valparaiso, IN, Paul Ehrstein (Wendy) of New Mexico; cousins, Jerry Moore of Lone Oak, KY, Jeanette Jones of Pulaski; sister-in-law, Betty Ehrstein; special friends, Mary Jo Reichert, Phillip Noel, Lisa and Roger Miller, Beth and James Darden, Jane and BT Cassibry and Bob and JoEllen Reichert; along with several great nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, George and Apollonia “Lonie” Evers Ehrstein; sister Mary Lavern Ehrstein; brother, Charles N. Ehrstein.

Prayer sevice for Robert A. Ehrstein will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2015 at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church in Grand Chain with prayers offered by Father Chris Mujule.  Interment will follow at the St. Catherine Cemetery in Grand Chain with full military rites being accorded by the United States Marine Corps Funeral Detail Team and by area Veterans.

The family will receive friends from 10 till 11 Monday morning at the Church.  Pallbearers will be Fred Ehrstein, Paul Ehrstein, Roger Miller, William T. Cassibry, Phillip Noel and Bob Reichert.  Honorary pallbearer, Jerry Moore.

Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak has been entrusted with the arrangements.

To leave an on-line message for the family or to share a memory, please visit our website at www.wilsonfuneralhome1928.com