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Robert "Bruce" Erlewein (65)
Date of Birth: 05/23/1944
Date of Passing: 01/20/2010
Resided in: Morristown, Indiana
MORRISTOWN- Robert “Bruce” Erlewein, age 65, of Morristown, passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at Hancock Regional Hospital in Greenfield. Bruce was born on May 23, 1944, in Connersville, Indiana, to Joseph A. and Hazel M. (Purcell) Erlewein. He was the youngest of four children. He graduated from Connersville Senior High School in 1963 and received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from Indiana Central University (now University of Indianapolis). He also received a Masters of Science in Education from Ball State and an Associates in Mortuary Science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Bruce began his career as a biology teacher at Morristown High School. During his career at the school, he also taught physical education before becoming the Guidance Counselor. He had coached basketball and spent many summers teaching drivers’ education. After 32 years at Morristown High School, he retired. In 1996, Bruce co-owned Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield with his son and daughter-in-law, Dane and B.J. Erlewein. He returned to college to become a Funeral Director and worked at Erlewein Mortuary for three years until illness prevented him from continuing in the business. Bruce retired from the mortuary business in 2004.
He was a former member of the Fountaintown United Methodist Church, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and the Rotary Club of Greenfield. Bruce loved spending time with his family. In his free time, he enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, doing crossword puzzles, and running long-distance. Bruce ran eight marathons, including the Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons.
In his own words, Bruce said that he “helped raise two of the best children in the world.” Those two children, Dane A. (wife, B.J.) Erlewein of Greenfield and Tisha J. (husband, Jason) Lucas of Evansville, survive. Also surviving him are his brother, David (wife, Rita) Erlewein of Connersville; loving companion and best friend, Kathleen Inabnitt of Morristown (formerly of Greenfield); grandchildren, Gibson and Lily Erlewein and Townsend and Jenna Lucas; mother- and father-in-law, Jim and Virginia Wilson of Morristown; brothers-in-law, Donald (wife, Gwen) Wilson of Tarpon Springs, Florida, and Gregory (wife, Karen) Wilson of Henderson, Nevada; five nieces and three nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and many, many friends and former students. Bruce’s wife of 27 years, Judith M. Erlewein; parents, Joseph and Hazel Erlewein; sister, Sharon Calhoun; and infant brother, Joseph Erlewein, preceded him in death.
Friends may visit to remember Bruce on Saturday, January 23, and Sunday, January 24, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will be on Monday, January 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield. Pastor Paul Enyart and Pastor Danny Curry will officiate. Burial will follow at Asbury Cemetery in Morristown.
Memorial contributions are appreciated for the Judith M. Erlewein Nursing Scholarship, c/o Erlewein Mortuary, 1484 W. U.S. 40, Greenfield, Indiana 46140. Friends may send online condolences at www.erleweinmortuary.com or email sympathy@erleweinmortuary.com.
Beneficiary
Memorial contributions are appreciated for the Judith M. Erlewein Nursing Scholarship, c/o Erlewein Mortuary, 1484 W. U.S. 40, Greenfield, Indiana 46140.
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Our Deepest Sympathy
by: ddenney, 01/25/10
Dear Dane and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We are praying that God will comfort and minister to each of you through your grief. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All!
Sincerely,
Darryl and Jane Denney and Family
Erlewein Family
by: robbieg, 01/25/10
Dane, I was so sorry to here about your father. my thoughts and prays are with your whole family.
Robbie Goode
You are in our Prayers
by: GGuffin, 01/25/10
Dane and Family,
Very sorry to hear about Bruce. We were unable to make visitations, but want you to know you are in our prayers. I have not had the pleasure of visiting with Bruce for quite some time, but I will never forget the many times of good counsel and advise during my years at Morristown High school as well as short visits at your mortuary. Loretta is now at Morristown Manor and will surely be saddened by the this news. Take care and God Bless. I'm sure I will run into you soon.
Greg & Pam Guffin
Thoughts and prayers
by: jblankman, 01/24/10
Just wanted to let you know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. Bruce was an integral part of Morristown High School for many years. I am glad that I had the pleasure of knowing him before he retired.
God bless,
John and Misty Blankman
Thinking of your families
by: apribble, 01/24/10
Dane, Tisha and families,
Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your dad went out of his way to help many, and was the reason I got into IU. I had a difficult year with epilepsy in which my Algebra II grade was bad, and he called and worked his magic, and got me into college! What a great man! Your family has also been there for us when we have lost loved ones and been a comfort to us. I will continue to pray for you all for strength to get through this.
Alesha Pribble and family
Class of '63
by: Classmates1963, 01/23/10
Rest in peace Bruce....Your work on earth is done. May God be with all of you at this sad time.
Classmates of the Class of '63
Sincere Condolences
by: dzaner, 01/23/10
Dane & Tisha, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family. Hold tight to your memories for strength. Denise Zaner Florida
An amazing family friend
by: baseywilson, 01/23/10
Dane and Tisha and families; Kathleen,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you right now. We loved Bruce so much - it really felt like he was part of our family, too.
There will be many stories and memories of good times shared over the next couple of days from so, so many people who cared about Bruce - may the words expressed and affection shown offer some peace at this very sad time.
Although far away from you, we are remembering all of you today and for many days to come...
Love and prayers to you all,
Tam, David, Hope, Taylor and Maxine Wilson
New Zealand
Thinking of you
by: Schleter, 01/23/10
Dane , BJ and children
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time of grief and remembrance.
Joe and Nancy Schleter, Veedersburg, IN
A wonderful spirit has left this earth
by: MWestra, 01/23/10
It seems that Bruce has left this earth way too soon. But the love and caring that he has shown to family and friends will continue to live with all who knew him. We were saddened to learn of this loss and we hope that the hand of God comforts you during this difficult time.
Mark and Alora Westra
Our deepest sympathy.....
by: Agnes, 01/23/10
Tisha, Dane and Bruce's family, We were shocked to read of Bruce's passing. I knew Bruce for a long time. He sat behind me in our home room class in high school and we graduated from high school together. He was always one of the nicest people you would ever want to know. He was the same this many years later as he was in high school. Bruce was liked by all who met him. He made a big impression on kids and the kids loved him. Including our daughter. Please accept our sincerest sympathy on Bruce's passing. Life is never easy when we lose someone we love but somehow knowing that they rest in peace in the arms of God helps ease the pain. Keep your memories close to your heart. Those memories will last a lifetime and help you thru the days to come. God bless each of you at this sad time. You will be in our thoughts and prayers............
Our deepest sympathy,
Rick and Agnes Wilcher
Stanford, Ky.
Dear Dane and family,
by: dguffey, 01/22/10
Sorry to hear about your Dad Dane. You only have one of them. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will say he was a great mentor to me and provided much needed encouragement and insight during my high school career. His advise will always be instilled in me thru the rest of my life. He was a great guidance counselor and a person. Tidbit, my son, Eddie, was born on May 23. Take care Dane.
Wonderful friend!
by: leeannrobinson, 01/22/10
Teacher
by: CBright, 01/22/10
Dane and Tisha,
I have fond memories of your Dad at Morristown High School, he was a wonderful caring person and I wish there were more teachers like him today.
Charity Waggoner-Bright
What an AMAZING life!
by: jstoutaha, 01/22/10
Dane and Tish,
What an amazing man your dad was. I can't even put into words the many lives that he touched just being at Morristown High School. Your dad was a great piece of Morristown history. My prayers will be with your family in this time.
My condolences
by: RickR, 01/21/10
My codolences to the family of Bruce Erlewein from Richard Ricketts, Morristown High School class of 1980
Your Dad
by: nlucas, 01/21/10
Hi Tisha and Dane, and your families. We are so sorry to hear about Bruce's death. I know that you both loved him, and I know that he loved the both of you and your families. He was a wonderful family man to his wife Judy, and his kids and grand kids. We are glad that he had such a wonderful supportive family and friends. I thank Kathleen also for being such a wonderful person to Bruce. I am happy that we got to meet and know Bruce.
We love you,
Aunt Norma and Uncle Bill Lucas
Friend of your mother
by: janetfoglesong, 01/31/10
Dear Dane,
I'm sad to learn of your dad's death. Although I've known him for many years, I didn't know him well; I just knew that he married one of my best friends all through our growing up years; and that, in itself, told me he was a truly extraordinary man. That has been proven through the various ways our paths have touched over the years. I still think of your mother and can't understand God's purpose in taking her so young; and, now Bruce, also. But we aren't made to understand here on earth, just to have faith. My sympathy to you and your family and also to Jim and Virginia.
Janet Foglesong