Emmett Erwin, 90, of Mexico

Emmett Ira Erwin, 90, of Mexico, passed away at 4:12 p.m. Monday, August 6, 2012 at Audrain Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Arnold Funeral Home with Rev. Karen Taylor officiating. Visitation is Thursday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Burial with full military honors will be in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Emmett began his life on March 1, 1922 in Benton City, MO. He grew up on the family farm with his parents, Effie Belle Simpson and John Thomas Erwin, and siblings, Jeanette Marie and John Robert Erwin.

He attended Liberty School in Benton City, and graduated in 1941 from Martinsburg High School.

Emmett served in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945. He served in Hawaii (23 months) and the Philippines, and was in Okinawa when the war ended. In December 1945, he was discharged.

He married Bonnie Jean Hudgens Holtkamp on November 2, 1946. In addition to having a new wife, he also had an instant family with his new daughters, Judith Ann Holtkamp and Sandra Kay Holtkamp. He often told that while working as a taxi driver, he fell in love with the kids first, as he would often take Bonnie to her job at the shoe factory, and then deliver the girls to their baby sitter if she was running late for work. Judy and Sandra felt special because he "picked" them and he was always a wonderful dad. He later became an awesome "PaPa" to Derek Curtis and Steven DeLorez, and eventually a Great-Grandpa to Nola Eno DeLorez and Vivienne Erwin DeLorez.

Emmett always worked hard to provide for his family, and was loyal and dedicated to whatever job he had. His various jobs included- taxi driver, truck driver, and was employed at A.P. Green Brick Plant from 1946-1984. After retiring, he was employed as a courier for Audrain Medical Center from 1986-2008. He truly enjoyed that job and made many friends at the offices he called upon.

He was a member of the Mexico United Methodist Church, Mexico Optimist Club and the Mexico Bowling Association. Emmett was a football, bowling, and baseball fan, especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He and his wife, Bonnie, volunteered for meals on wheels and traveled together a lot. He really enjoyed time with his family and friends.

Mr. Erwin was preceded in death by his loving wife; his parents, Effie and John; his sister, Marie Barker and brother-in-law, Stanley; his brother, John Robert; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Helen and Clarence Haworth; a niece, Patricia Feger Chaney; a great-nephew, Seth Davis; and a special family friend, Cecil Healy.

He is survived by his two daughters, Judith Ann (Jim) DeLorez of Troy, MO and Sandra Kay Holtkamp of Mexico; two grandsons, Steven Christopher DeLorez and wife, Nicholle of Glendale, MO, and Derek Curtis of St. Louis, MO; two great-granddaughters, Nola Eno DeLorez and Vivienne Erwin DeLorez of Glendale, MO; two nieces, Cheryl Williams and friend, Bob Windsor, and Linda (Mike) Davis, all of Mexico; five great-nieces, Bridget (Danny) Bingham of Mexico, Courtney (Eddie) Coffelt of Fulton; Natalie Hornibrook of CA, Leslie Wesley of AZ, and Erin Chaney of CA; four great-nephews, Jason Williams of GA, Patrick Williams of Bates City, MO, Mark Chaney of CA, and Kevin Chaney of CA; longtime family friend, Mary Ann Healy of Mexico; and many cousins and friends. He is also survived by his special cat, Chrissy.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mexico United Methodist Church, Mexico Optimist Club or the Bonnie Erwin Nursing Scholarship. All may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.

Condolences may be left at www.arnold fh.com