Ervin George Yoas went home to be with the Lord March 25 on his 109th birthday at WellBridge of Pinckney in Pinckney, Michigan.
Born March 25, 1914 in Newport, Michigan, Ervin was the son of the late Edward and Anna (Bauman) Yoas. Ervin attended Monroe High School for one year. He went on to graduate in 1931 from Michigan Lutheran Seminary High School in Saginaw. He continued his education at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he studied gemology, watchmaking and engraving.
Ervin served his country proudly during WWII. He enrolled in the U.S. Army Air Corps where he served as a primary pilot instructor. He then transferred to the U.S. Navy to instruct Navy V5 cadets. He was honorably discharged on July 6, 1944.
On June 18, 1946, Ervin married his beloved wife, the former Elizabeth "Betty" Fountain at Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe. Betty and Ervin owned and operated Yoas Jewelers in Monroe from 1946 until their retirement on February 1, 1974.
Ervin was a long-time member at Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe. After moving to Punta Gorda, Florida in 1985, he made Bethany Lutheran Church in North Fort Myers his home church. Ervin was a member and past president of the Monroe Exchange Club, the Michigan Retail Jewelers Association and the Michigan Retailers Association. He served on the Monroe County Board of Education from 1959 – 1963.
For many years Ervin was recognized at the Monroe County Fair as the oldest man in Monroe County. In fact, at his death, he was the oldest man in Michigan and the 14th oldest man living in the United States.
Ervin is survived by his daughter, Barbara Sontag of Dundee, his sister-in-law, Marion Yoas of Newport, 6 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.
Ervin was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty; a daughter, Aurelie Conn and two brothers, Raymond and Gerald.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 29, from 12 - 2 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161. Funeral services, celebrating his life, will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev. Ross Ulrich, and Rev. Greg Sitzman of Zion Lutheran Church will officiate. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe or Bethany Lutheran Church in North Fort Myers, Florida.