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Harley Erdmann Obituary
Born: June 23, 1937 in Kewanee, IL
Died: October 29, 2025 in Sterling, IL
HARLEY "RED" ERDMANN, 88, of Sterling, Illinois, died Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Rock River Hospice House in Sterling.
There will be no visitation or funeral service. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling, with Charlie Gaumer officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital & Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison, IL.
Red was born June 23, 1937, in Kewanee, IL, the son of Zach T. and LuVern M. (Richards) Erdmann. He was educated in the Benton Street Grade Schools and graduated from Prophetstown High School. Red served as a teletype mechanic in the United States Air Force. On September 3, 1960, he married Joyce A. Springman at West Jordan Lutheran Church in Sterling. Red began working at the age of 15, alongside his twin brother, setting pins seven nights a week at the local bowling alley. He later worked as a fabrication maker at General Electric for 14 years and then at Wilco Rental in Sterling until his retirement. Red also served his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Morrison Fire Department. He and Joyce owned and operated Lake View Country Club in Sterling for 15 years, where many good memories and friendships were made. He was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Morrison. Red was known for his good humor and could always be counted on to share a good joke to brighten someone's day. He loved bowling and golfing, and especially enjoyed the simple pleasure of cutting wood. Harley was a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan all of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce; one daughter, Shari (Alex) Gaumer of Sterling; two grandchildren, Dylan (Tori) Eilers and Sydni Eilers; and one great-grandson, Cooper Jude Eilers; two sisters, Amanda (Rodney) McNeill and Beverly Cooper, both of Prophetstown; one cousin, Norene Richards; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Rodney and Jeffrey Erdmann; his twin brother, Harold & Mary Jane Erdmann; one brother in law, David Cooper; and two cousins, Eileen Reiley & Glen Richards.
To send online condolences go to www.bosmarenkes.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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