Erwin Lorenz

Erwin M. Lorenz, 96, of Shawneetown passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 16, 1916, in Shawneetown, to Martin and Bertha Kasten Lorenz. He and Leota S. Etzold were married April 18, 1948, in Farrar, Mo.

Lorenz was a lifelong farmer and worked many years at Shawneetown Feed and Seed, retiring in 1978.

He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Shawneetown, formerly serving as a trustee and held many other offices.

Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 64 years, Leota of Shawneetown; six children, Dennis (Carol) Lorenz of Shawneetown, Rita (James) Whaley of Jackson, Curtis (Debby) Lorenz of Pocahontas, Linda (Terry) Roth of Jackson, Nelson (Belinda) Lorenz of New Wells and Wanda (James) Eaves of Jackson.

Also 12 grandchildren, Laura Lorenz, Cindy (Rustin) Johnson, Darrin (Erin) Whaley, Phillip (Sherry) Whaley, Dana Whaley, Carly Lorenz, Eric, Ryan, Travis and Stacy Roth, Jared and Spencer Lorenz; four great-grandchildren, Brailyn, Mason, Laci and Ava; two great-stepgrandchildren, Daniel and Alyssa; three sisters-in-law, Berniece Lorenz and Florence Lorenz of Shawneetown, and Mary Ann Etzold of Perryville, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Wilbert, Elmer, Edgar and Melvin Lorenz; a sister, Hilda Dreyer; and a granddaughter, Vanessa Lorenz (parents Curtis and Debby).

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9 a.m. to time of service Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Shawneetown.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Virgil Kelm officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church of Shawneetown, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Saxony Lutheran High School.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.