Rudolph "Rudy" M. Erb

Rudolph M. “Rudy” Erb, 93, of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Lancaster General Hospital.  Born Thursday, June 4, 1925 in East Petersburg, he was the son of the late Rudy H. and Leah (Musser) Erb.  He was married to Mary B. (Ulrich) Erb on April 16, 1949.

Rudy attended Elizabethtown High School and completed a technical course in auto-body repairs.  He and his brother, Glenn, owned and operated Erb Bros. Service Station, Elizabethtown, until their retirement.

He served as a Staff Sergeant with the U.S. Army during WWII with Company L., 19th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division and took part in the Battle of Leyte in the Philippines as well as the Battle of Mindanao, Luzon, Mindoro and New Guinea.  Rudy was awarded the Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with three Bronze Stars and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

He was a member of the Elizabethtown American Legion Post #329 and the Elizabethtown VFW Post #5667 and was a life member of the Friendship Fire Company, Elizabethtown and Disabled American Veterans.  He was also a longtime member of the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren.

Rudy enjoyed hunting and gardening but above all, he will be remembered as a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.

In addition to his wife of nearly 70 years, he is survived by a son, Rudy M. Erb, Jr., of Kutztown and a daughter, Deborah M. Hummer, wife of David, of Elizabethtown.  Also surviving are five grandchildren: Ronald A. Hummer, husband of Angela Benedict-Hummer, Desirée J. Carlough, wife of Forrest Carlough, Nathan M. Hummer, David E. Hummer, Jr., husband of Paige Brenner-Hummer, and Danielle N. Burke, wife of Sean Burke; 9 great grandchildren: Owen Hummer, Ava Hummer, Callison Peterson, Gia Carlough, Myla Carlough, Scarlett Hummer, Benjamin Hummer, Reid Hummer and Jewel Carlough as well as two brothers, Lyle Erb, husband of Janice Bastress-Erb, of Elizabethtown and Orie Erb, of Mount Joy.  He was preceded in death by three brothers, Gerald, Glenn and Allen Erb.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 South Mount Joy Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022 with Pastor Greg D. Laszakovits officiating.  Burial will follow in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery, Elizabethtown, with military honors.  Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service on Tuesday.  Arrangements have been entrusted with the Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, 130 North Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA  17022, 717-367-1543.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rudy’s memory to the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren or to any group that will benefit veterans.

Condolences and memories may be shared at: www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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