Florence Erwin

Florence E. "Toad" Erwin, 94, died at 7 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 at Jerseyville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

She was born in Jerseyville on Dec. 15, 1921, and was one of three children born to George Phillip and Bertha (Steckel) Horn.

Toad graduated from Jersey Township High School and like many of the women of that time, worked at International Shoe Factory in Jerseyville.

She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who took exceptional pride in her family. The Horn family were well known gardeners, and provided many of the local residents with starter plants, and it was a tradition with Toad and her family for many years. She was a faithful member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, and attended Mass every day. She was always on the go, and never missed an opportunity to go somewhere, and was never seen without her sister, Mayme Wittman.

She married Paul Charles "Popeye" Erwin on Aug. 22, 1942, in Jerseyville, and together they shared 42 years together, and were the proud parents of two children, before his death on Oct. 8, 1984.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Bob Smith of Jerseyville; a daughter-in-law and her husband, Mary and Randy Smith of Jerseyville; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Carrie and Greg Flynn of Dow, Duff and Tammy Smith of Brighton, Jill and Roger Ward of Jerseyville, Dana Smith, and her companion, Shon Heitzig of Jerseyville, Robert Erwin, and his fiance' Kalli Baker of Alton, David and Karry Erwin of Jacksonville, Florida, and Daniel Erwin of Alton; seven great-grandchildren, Josh, Macie, Tommy, Caden, Cooper, Parker, Blake, and one due to arrive in August.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Thomas E. Erwin on March 13, 1990; a brother, Fr. Cornelius "Bud" Horn; and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann "Mayme" and Carl Wittman.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 21 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where a Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 22 at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.

Burial will be in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools in Jerseyville.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home