Clyde J. Erb

Clyde J. Erb, 94, passed away peacefully on Feb. 26, 2019 after a short illness. 

He was born and reared in New Athens, son of the late Michael and Laura Erb (nee Hoehn). 

Clyde’s freshman year of college during 1942 was interrupted by his induction notice into the U.S. Army. After attending the Army’s Specialized Training Program at Harvard University, he was sent overseas, landing directly from New York Harbor onto France’s Utah Beach in August 1944. 

There he began seeing extensive combat action as a Squad Leader in the 26th Infantry Division of General George S. Patton’s Third Army. 

During the infamous and brutal Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 in the forested Ardennes area of France, Belgium and Luxembourg, Clyde was wounded and evacuated to London, England, where he convalesced until being returned to the U.S. in March 1945. 

After receiving additional medical treatment at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Clyde was discharged from the Army on his 21st birthday, Aug. 1, 1945. 

Clyde was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star, among other medals. He next enrolled at Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. 

After meeting the love of his life, Lila, they married and together raised their three sons in Belleville. Clyde enjoyed a successful career as a civil engineer, retiring in 1986 as the Superintendent of Highways for St. Clair County. Clyde and Lila then enjoyed a long and happy retirement in Bradenton, Fla., and later in Waterloo.

Clyde was a proud and active member of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, for which he served as its secretary. In his earlier years he was an active member of both the Elks and Freemasons. 

Clyde enjoyed many hobbies including playing the accordion and bowling, but during his retirement years he enjoyed golf most of all and achieved two milestones that his family and friends heard about often: a hole-in-one and “scoring his age” when he was 78. 

Clyde and Lila worshiped our Lord and Savior with fellow congregates at the Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. Always positive, ever cheerful and with a kind word for all he met, Clyde will be greatly missed and mourned by his family and his many friends.

Clyde is survived by 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 four great-grandchildren, Benjamin Erb, Henry Erb, Jax Bryant and Ladd Bryant. 

Clyde was preceded in death by his wife Lila L. Erb (nee Heiligenstein), his parents and brother Ralph Erb.

Visitation and funeral services were March 3-4, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo, Pastor Andrew Cheatham officiating.

A private burial was held March 4 at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Gateway Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, Shriner’s Hospital for Children in St. Louis, or Concord Presbyterian Church PCA in Waterloo.