Daniel Jerome Erla

 DANIEL JEROME ERLA

     Daniel Jerome Erla, 89, died peacefully on Sunday, May 26, 2024 in Northwood Meadows Medical Care Unit, Cass City. He was born March 1, 1935 in Hamtramck to John and Genevieve (Kowalski) Erla. He married Marlene Joan Strump on November 3, 1956 in Imlay City. She died July 30, 2022.

     Dan graduated from Imlay City High School in 1953. He moved to Cass City shortly after to join the newly purchased family business, the Cass Frozen Food Locker. The business expanded over the years and later became Erla’s Food Center where he was employed as a meat cutter until his retirement. Dan loved a good home-cooked meal and often decided what the menu would be by the type of meat he planned to bring home. He loved ending dinner with a delicious dessert. 

     Dan officiated basketball, football, and baseball games at schools throughout the Thumb Area and was honored by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) in May 2008 for over 50 years as a sports official. During the summer months from 1964-1973, he managed the Erla’s Foods fast-pitch softball team. The team put Cass City on the map by winning the State Class C Softball Championship in Coldwater in 1968.

     Dan was involved in local government for many years serving as Elkland Township Trustee, Assessor, and Supervisor. He resigned from his position as Township Supervisor in December 2019 after serving twenty-six years. He was a member of the Cass City Gavel Club, Our Lady Consolata Parish, and the Cass City-Gagetown Knights of Columbus Council #8892. 

     Dan is survived by his children: Joan (Craig) Helwig of Cass City, Dan (Kristen) Erla of Ada, Doug (Michele) Erla of Mishawaka, IN; Jan (Matt) Zimba of Deford; eleven grandchildren with the first great grandchild due in November; sisters: Lorraine Klimas of Brighton, Doris (Tom) Sieland of Kennesaw, GA; Marilyn Erla of Saginaw; brothers: Chuck (Agnes) Erla, Arnold (Sharon) Erla of Cass City, Clark (Pat) Erla of Florence, AZ. He is preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Eleanor; sisters:  Florence Pijanowski, Gertrude Erla, Delphine McKillop; brother, Richard Erla; his twin brother, Donald Erla.

     The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Americans Home Health and Hospice Care; specifically, to hospice nurse, Heather Pemble, and caregiver, Lindie Vandeberghe, and all the caregivers and staff at Northwood Meadows who cared for Dan during his stay in the facility. They are all greatly appreciated for the loving and compassionate care they provided.

     Funeral mass held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 in Our Lady Consolata Parish, Cass City with Fr. Robert Pare officiating. Interment will be in Elkland Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Americans Home Health & Hospice Care, Northwood Meadows, or Our Lady Consolata Parish, Cass City. 

Visitation: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024 in Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City

                  10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 Our Lady Consolata Parish, Cass City