John Wendell Erwin

		John Wendell Red Erwin, age 78, of Tamaroa, died in the St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. on Monday, November 6, 2000 at 5:45 p.m..
	Wendell was born in Herrin on April 17, 1922, the son of John William Willie Erwin and Lue Ellen (Ridgeway) Erwin.  He married Erma E. Reidelberger on November 23, 1940 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. and she survives.  Red served in the U.S. Army/Air Corp during World War II with the 349th Troop Carriers as a Sergeant.  He owned and operated Erwin Florist in Pinckneyville and erwin Wholesale and Greenhouse in Tamaroa.  He was a member of the First Christian Church in DuQuoin, the DuQuoin American Legion Roy Mitchell Post 647, the DuQuoin Masonic Loge #234, Shriners Ainad Temple and was a member of FTD since 1948.
	Survivors include his wife Erma of Tamaroa; one son, JOhn Wendell J.W. Erwin and wife Becky of Tamaroa; a daughter, Linda L. Biby and husband Steve of Pinckneyville; three grandchildren, John William Jay Erwin of DuQuoin, Kevin Biby and wife Richel of Pinckneyville and Elizabeth Cheek and husband Ryan of Pinckneyville and a great-grandson, John William Erwin of DuQuoin.
	He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Melba Jean Erwin and a granddaughter, Stephanie Elizabeth Biby.
	Funeral services were held at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home in Pinckneyville on Thursday, November 9 at 10 a.m. with Rev. Charles Boling officiating.  Interment was in Sunset Memorial Park at DuQuoin.
	Visitation was held at the Pyatt-Harrawood Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday from 8 a.m. until time of services.  A Masonic service was held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
