Ervin L. Gay
Ervin L. Gay
Ervin L. Gay
August 20, 1920 – January 14, 2017
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 96
Ervin Lloyd Gay, 96, of New Sharon, died Saturday, January 14, 2017, at Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa. He was born Friday, August 20, 1920, in Mahaska County, the son of Sammie T. and Mae G. Ruby Gay.
Ervin attended school through the 8th grade and then helped work on the family farm and was very proud to receive his G.E.D. later in life.
On September 4, 1942, Ervin joined the U.S. Army. He served in several places in North Africa with the 123rd Radio Intelligence Company and later in Italy with the 9th AAF Radio Squadron. He was discharged October 15, 1945 and received several awards including three Bronze Stars.
On October 19, 1949, Ervin was united in marriage to Joyce Hicklin at the Indianapolis Christian Church in What Cheer.
Ervin farmed his whole life. He worked for a time as a plumber with his nephew, Vernon Gay.
Ervin enjoyed tinkering with his Delco Plant and taking it around to events. He enjoyed attending his children’s events when they were younger. Later on, Joyce and Ervin enjoyed woodworking together. He attended Union Mills Christian Church for a time and is a member of the Rose Hill Community Church in Rose Hill.
He is survived by his wife of over 67 years: Joyce Gay of New Sharon; his daughter, Ellen (& Mike) Lewis of Rose Hill; his son, Emory (& Suzann) Gay of Rose Hill; two granddaughters that he raised: Paula Aunspach and Pauline (& Richard) Wyatt; five grandchildren: Jeffery Scott, Laura Shea, Rozilynn Gay, Emerson Gay and Jeremy Davis; and 10 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ernest and Fred Gay; and a sister, Edith De Vos.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at 1 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W.
Visitation will begin Tuesday, January 17, 2017, after 11 A.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa and the family will be present at the funeral chapel Tuesday from 5 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Rose Hill Community Church.
