Richard “Dick” Herbert Ervin, 85, of Illiopolis, passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. 

He was born on August 28, 1931, in Decatur, IL, the son of Herbert Pease Ervin and Helen Irene Peters.  He married Kathleen Adele Reeves on November 28, 1959. 

He is survived by this wife, Kathleen, daughters Kimberly Ann Ervin (husband, Martin Stahl) and Cynthia Irene Ervin; grandchildren, Jake Ervin Stahl, Mackenzie Ryan Kokal, and Madison Reeves Kokal, all of Illiopolis, IL; two sisters, Rosella Ervin Young of Illiopolis and Sandra Ervin Bowen of Park Ridge, IL; cousins Charlotte English of Decatur, IL, and Robert Bartels of Illiopolis; and several nieces and nephews, Penny Sue Van Balle (Dennis) of San Diego, CA, Peggy Diane Rishe (Bryan) of Matthews, NC, Phillip Young of Naperville, IL, Brandon Bowen (Becky) of Naperville, IL, Brady Bowen of Wheeling, IL, and Bryan Bowen (Bekah) of Winter Springs, FL. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and nephews, Perry Wayne Young and Bradley Ervin Bowen.

Richard grew up on the family farm in Illiopolis.  He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and returned to the family farm after leaving the Navy.  For the rest of his life, he farmed the same land that his grandfather had farmed and more.  In his later years, he did so with the assistance of his dedicated friend, Denzil Howard.  To say that Richard loved farming would be an understatement.  He could not wait to be the first in the field in the spring to plant his crops or be the first one in the field in the fall to harvest.  While farming was his passion, his grandchildren were his pride and joy.  He was a devoted father and grandfather who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his grandchildren and attending their many extracurricular activities.  He also enjoyed meeting his friends each morning for coffee and conversation, his evening beer at the local bar, his weekly dinner with friends, his Sunday morning breakfasts with the Ciotti family, checking out the crops with his beloved dog by his side, and his family trips to Florida and Door County, WI.  Not only did he love his family and friends, but he also loved his community and was honored to have served as Fire Chief for the Illiopolis Fire Protection District for over 30 years and on the Illiopolis School Board where he served as president for many years.  Richard was the epitome of an honest, hardworking man. He was a man of few words, but you always knew where you stood with him. Richard was also a quiet leader and a person you could always depend on.  He devoted his life to working the land, taking care of his family and was always there when you needed him.  He instilled in this family a love of country, a love of the land, and a love of life.  He lived his life as he wanted to up until the very end.  It was a good life, a simple life, and a life well lived.  He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Illiopolis United Methodist Church with C.W. Butch Reneker officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Illiopolis with military honors by Sullivan American Legion Post 68. 

Memorial contributions may be given to the Illiopolis Fire Protection District or the Illiopolis American Legion.

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