Tuesday, March 19, 2024

George J. Ehrstein – Obituary

George J. Ehrstein, 93 years, of Largo, FL(formerly of Winter Park, FL and Grand Chain, IL) passed away ay 11:45 P.M. Friday, June 19, 2017 at East Bay Rehab & Nursing Center in Largo, FL.

He was born September 17, 1923 in Olmsted, IL, the son of George A. Ehrstein and Leona Evers Ehrstein.

George received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army after serving in WWII in the 295th AAA Searchlight Battalion.  He was a lifelong Catholic, being a member of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Grand Chain, St. Catherine of Sienna in Largo, FL and Sts. Peter and Paul in Winter Park, FL.  He was a Life Member of the Elks, most recently of Winter Park, FL Lodge # 1830.  He was a longtime member of the American Legion Post 400 in Winter Park, FL.  He worked for 30 years in the Air Conditioning & Heating Wholesale business in Orlando, FL, first as branch manager and later as the Division Sales Manager.  He also owned several businesses throughout the years, most notably Ehrstein Farms and Equipment in Grand Chain and E & R Sales in Winter Park, FL.

George loved to travel with his wife, Tiger. Their favorite destinations included Western Europe, South America, Hawaii, California and Alaska.  They also enjoyed several family cruises to the Caribbean.  George was an avid golfer who was fortunate enough to play many of the best courses in the US, including Pebble Beach, CA and Muirfield Village, OH.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and friend.  Although he spent 50 years living in FL, he always considered Grand Chain as home.

He is survived by his four daughters, Lindsey Diana of Largo, FL, Gay Sells of Largo, FL, Mindy Conner of Winston-Salem, NC and Lisa Hooks of Rock Hill, SC; three grandchildren, Terry Jones of Lehigh Acres, FL, Kevin Diana of Columbia, SC and Caitlin Diana of Largo, FL; nieces Rebecca Steward of MI and Sara Bernth of IN; nephews Fred Ehrstein of IN and Paul Ehrstein of NM; and sister-in-law Betty Ehrstein of IN.

George was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn “Tiger” Ehrstein, his parents, George and Leona “Lonnie” Ehrstein, sister Mary Lavern Ehrstein; brothers, Charles N and Robert A. Ehrstein.

A memorial service honoring the life of George J. Ehrstein will be at 2 P.M. Friday, July 7, 2017 at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak.  Prayers will be offered by Father Chris Mujule, Inurnment will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery in Grand Chain with full military honors accorded by the Illinois National Guard Burial Detail Team and area veterans.  The family will receive friends Friday, July 7, 2017 from 1 P.M. until the funeral hour at Wilson Funeral Home in Karnak.

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