Lila L. Erb

Lila L. Erb (nee Heiligenstein), 89, passed away peacefully Aug. 23, 2017 after a short illness.

She was the daughter of the late Xavier and Anna Heiligenstein (nee Hall).

Lila was married to her husband, Clyde, for 70 years; she precedes him in death.

Born and reared in Freeburg, Lila met the love of her life, Clyde, shortly after he returned to the area from World War II.

Lila and Clyde raised their three sons in Belleville. They enjoyed a long and happy retirement in Bradenton, Fla., and later in Waterloo.

Lila was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and had been a Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

She devoted countless hours of volunteer work for both the St. Clair County Call-For-Help Crisis Center and the Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary.

During her retirement years, Lila loved her days on the beach on Anna Maria Island and she enjoyed painting landscapes and portraits, once taking third place in a national contest.

Lila was a big St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, but she would only watch their games on television if they were winning – off it went if they fell behind.

Lila worshiped our Lord and Savior with fellow congregants at Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. She will be missed and mourned by her family and her many friends.

Lila is survived by her husband of 70 years, Clyde Erb; three sons, Michael Erb and daughter-in-law Susan Erb, Thomas Erb and daughter-in-law Tracy Tretiak, and James Erb and daughter-in-law Jessica Erb; eight grandchildren, Kristen Erb, Eric Erb (Michelle Erb), Kelly Erb Bryant (Justin Bryant), Zachary Erb, Mike Erb (Samantha Erb), Maximilian Erb, Evan Erb and Lauren Erb; and three great-grandchildren, Benjamin Erb, Henry Erb and Jax Bryant.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers.

In recent years, Lila was fond of saying “I have three children, eight-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, five grand-dogs, and three grand-horses.”

Visitation is 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 25, at Quernheim Funeral Home,
Waterloo.

Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home, Pastor Andrew Cheatham officiating.

A private burial will be held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Belleville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, or Shriner’s Hospital for Children in St. Louis, or Concord Presbyterian Church PCA, Waterloo.