Obituary of Albert Erb

After a long and full life that was lived with kindness and a gentle spirit, Albert died suddenly, but peacefully, at his home in Wellesley, on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. He was 91. Family was everything to Albert. He is survived by his dear wife and constant companion, Irene (Lebold), with whom he shared 68 years of marriage that demonstrated mutual support and love for each other. He was a loving and supportive father to Mary Jane and Wayne Schwartz of Wellesley, Mark and Shelley Erb of Elmira and Jim and Marianne Erb of Waterloo. Grandpa was extremely proud of his seven grandchildren whom he showered with his unconditional love and bags of cheesies; Matthew and Trevor Schwartz, Kim and her husband Shawn Green, Stephanie and her husband Ben Gunn, David Erb and his wife Leanne Baer, Michael and his wife Diana Erb and Rudy Vincent and his wife Brandi Barens. His life was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren whom he adored; Blake, Aleenah, Evan, Addison, Kenzie, Cecilia, Oliver, Elliott, Katie, Jacquie and James. He will be fondly remembered by Irene's brother and sisters, Irv and his wife Grace Lebold of Brantford, Doris Jantzi of Exeter, Betty Mitchell of Waterloo, and nine nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Salome Boshart and Menno O. Erb, a sister in infancy and brothers-in-law Orval Jantzi and Ernie Mitchell. Albert was a man of impeccable integrity - a living example to his family, friends and community. His strong faith in God was at the core of his life and evident in how he lived each day and treated others. During his life, Albert gave years of volunteer time to his beloved and supportive community of Wellesley, where he owned and operated Erb Farm Supply. He was Mayor of Wellesley Township for 11 years, a member Waterloo Regional Council and a dedicated volunteer with many community and church related organizations. Albert was a faithful member of Erb Street Mennonite Church. With Irene's assistance, he took great delight in his lawns and flower beds at the community pond in Wellesley, at Chesley Lake and Erb & Good Family Funeral Home. Friends and relatives are invited to share their memories of Albert with his family at the Futher-Franklin Funeral Home in Wellesley on Friday, May 24 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Visitation will continue at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King Street South, Waterloo on Sunday, May 26 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. A service to give thanks for his life and faith will be held at Erb Street Mennonite Church, 131 Erb Street West, Waterloo on Monday, May 27 at 11 am, with Rev. Eleanor Epp-Stobbe officiating. Interment will follow in Erb Street Mennonite Cemetery. Following the committal service at the cemetery, friends and relatives are invited to return to the church for refreshments and a time to visit with the family. Irene and Albert were original and active participants in the annual Mennonite Relief Sale for many years and would want their friends to support the work of Mennonite Central Committee through the annual sale. Therefore, there will be no funeral home visitation on Saturday. Condolences for the family and donations to Aldaview Residential Services, New Hamburg, where Albert and Irene's oldest grandson Matthew lives, would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy and may be arranged through either funeral home, Futher-Franklin Funeral Home at 519.656.2880 or Erb & Good Family Funeral Home www.erbgood.com or 519.745.8445. "People who garden see life differently"