Robert Joseph Ervin

Robert Joseph Ervin, 77, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully in the arms of his wife, Bettie, early Tuesday morning, August 4, 2009 at his home.A son of the late Gilbert and Mary (Tarr) Ervin, Bob was born June 10, 1932 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Bob graduated in 1950 from Newark High School and then served as a District Manager for L & K Restaurants for 32 years. He then relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and worked for Quad Graphics until his retirement in 1996.He was a member of Newpointe Community Church at Dover, Ohio and was a former member of Christ Community Church at Albany, Ohio.His family will remember him as being very artistic and for his passion of music. Bob enjoyed singing, which he did at the weddings of various family members as well as in a gospel quartet, and was also an avid guitarist. His family will cherish his gift of music that he so graciously shared with them.Bob was a gifted woodworker, was a radio controlled racing enthusiast and had a love for reading, especially about history.He is survived by his loving wife, Bettie ( Queen) Ervin whom he married on August 20, 1977; his children, Robert Ervin Jr of Abilene, Texas, Randy Ervin of Jayton, Texas, Alana Taylor of Ballground, Georgia, Laurie Abbott of Hartford, Wisconsin, David Taylor of Erie, Pennsylvania, Cheryl Ervin of Newark, Ohio, Christopher Trina of Sobieski, Wisconsin, Kimberly Ervin-Croxford of Athens, Ohio, Karen Ervin-Jones of Newark, Ohio and Heather Ardston of Roswell, Georgia; 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.Bob was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Charles Ervin.The family will receive guests on Friday, August 7, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia and again one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. A funeral service celebrating Bob’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11 a.m. in Newpointe Community Church at Dover with Pastor Chad Stutzman officiating. Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a memorial reception which will be held in the church.Contributions may be made in Bob’s memory to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.