Jack passed away peacefully in his home on February 4, 2016. He was born August 29, 1931 in Missoula, MT, the son of Jack Sr. and Ann Erb. His father was in the military and they moved often living in many different states eventually coming back to Montana. Jack enlisted in the Army in 1948. He was a medic in the Korean War for the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment until he was shot 6 times in May of 1951 and honorably discharged as a Corporal. During his service he was given the Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze campaign stars, a United Nations Service Medal, a Combat Medical Badge and a Purple Heart. Jack and his family are proud of his service to his country.
After returning home Jack met JoAnn Turner and they were married in July of 1958, settling in Helena. They had three children in addition to the two children Jack had from a previous marriage. Jack had to deal with numerous complications from his war injuries and had been in and out of hospitals over the years. He never let these issues slow him down. Jack was an avid bowler and ran many leagues in the Helena area and loved to travel to national bowling competitions across the country. When Jack’s health took away this passion he moved onto gardening. Jack’s yard was filled with flowers and he would sometimes spend entire days in his gardens.
In 2009 JoAnn passed away. After 50 years together Jack was devastated. Trying to move on, he spent time with his family and loved to spoil his grandchildren. He spent his free time doing puzzles, watching sports and working on various collections.
Jack will be missed greatly by his family and various friends that he visited around town.
A visitation with the family will be held Wednesday February 10th from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. at Retz Funeral Home 315 E. 6th Ave., Helena. The services to celebrate Jack’s life will also be held at Retz Funeral Home on Thursday February 11th at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison. A reception will immediately follow burial at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home social hall, 3750 N. Montana Ave., Helena. Memorial contributions can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Jack.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 10, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday February 11, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday February 11, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Thursday February 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 10, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Thursday February 11, 2016
Retz Funeral Home
315 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, Montana 59601
Graveside Service
Following the Funeral Service
Thursday February 11, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Thursday February 11, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Cherryl Batchelor says
Jim and family so sorry to hear of your loss. Take care.
Everette and Janine Hunt says
Jim Erb and Family
Our thoughts and hearts are with you and your family during this time of grief
Surinder Ahuja says
Jim, I am so sorry to hear the sad news. My thoughts and prayers with you and the family. May God Bless his soul and give strength and courage to all of you to bear this lose.
Debbie Sanchez says
Jim, my deepest condolences to you and your family on your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers for strenghth and comfort during this time. May your dad rest in peace. Take care.
Mark Backhaus says
Jim my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Charmaine Graham says
Jim, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this very difficult time.
Sara Dunlap says
Jack was a good friend to me. I will miss him so much. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. God bless.
Sandra & John Jarvie says
So sorry to hear of Jack’s death. He was our next door neighbor for more than 40 years! We watched Mike, Jim and Sheila grow up. He was a good neighbor. I will miss seeing him heading down the street in his Cadilac!! I know he will leave a big hole in your heart and lives. John and I will not be able to attend the visitation and services but you will be in our thoughts.
Jeff Beck says
Mike, Jim, Sheila and families, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Jack will be dearly missed.
Cheryl Bozdog says
My thoughts and prayers to the family – I remember Jack fondly….as a little tyke I was always running around the bowling alley while he was bowling – he was always nice to me.
Brad Belden says
Jim and Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. I am sorry for your loss.
Ron Weber says
To Jacks family, your in my thoughts. Jack, we’ll miss you at the bowling alley. Look up my dad and tell him we miss him, Rest in Peace Soldier…
John Bugai says
Jim and family, my thought and prayers are with you and your family. I am grateful for his service to our country
Kelly says
Mike, so sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my prayers.
Kelly