SUBLETTE – Edward Wayne Erbes, 85, of Sublette, passed away on April 19, 2024, at Allure of Mendota after a brief illness and declining health.

Funeral services will be Friday, April 26, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Merritt Funeral Home in Mendota with Rev. Kyle Kelly of Grace Fellowship Church of Sublette officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, and Friday, April 26 from 9:30 a.m. until time of services. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

He was born Sept. 29, 1938, in Paw Paw, to Walter and Apalda (Pierce) Erbes. He married Beverly Williamson on June 8, 1958. They divorced after 25 years together. He later married Lora O. Swarts on Aug. 6, 1994. 

He is survived by daughter Doreen (Robert) Boyle; sons, Dean (Tammie) Erbes of Amboy, and Douglas (Lori) Erbes and Donald Erbes of Sublette; grandchildren, Jason (Kate) Boyle, Jeralynn Gosser, Marshall, Harrison (Madisin), Kenton, and Bryce (Ashleigh) Erbes, Colin (fiance Morgan) Jackson, and Briahna (David) Jacobs; 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way; one great-great-granddaughter; longtime loving companion Kathy Christ, and caregiver Lana Jones. He is also survived by a sister, Arlette (Dan) Senn of Grand Detour; a brother, Denis (Ella) Erbes of Sublette; brother-in-law James Beetz of Amboy; and several nieces and nephews, etc. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives Beverly in Dec 2021 and Lora in June 2010; his son, David Erbes in February 2024; his sisters and brother-in-law, Jolene and Robert Lindenmeyer and Marlys Beetz; daughter-in-law Tracy Erbes; and special “daughter-in-law” Tiffany Egler Blake.

In addition to being a beloved father and grandfather, he was a lifelong farmer and jack-of-all-trades handyman.

Ed’s lifelong passion was proudly farming the family farm that borders the Village of Sublette. He also loved bowling, plowing snow, reinforcing corn cribs for shelled corn, selling grain handling equipment and dryers, removing trees and grinding stumps, doing electrical and carpentry work, and helping anyone with projects or repairs. He was very mechanical and used his ingenuity on many occasions. He had many friends and loved to talk, tell stories, and have a good laugh.

Ed was a member of the Sublette Fire Department and Mendota Elks where he enjoyed bowling on multiple leagues for 49 years. He was a former board member of Sublette Farmers Elevator and Sublette Union Church. For many years he was sexton of Evergreen Cemetery of Sublette where he will be buried.

Memorials may be directed to Evergreen Cemetery General Fund. Online condolences may be sent to www.merrittfh.com. Arrangements completed by Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota.