Donald “Don” Paul Erwin

Donald “Don” Paul Erwin, age 92, of Gainesville, Georgia (formerly of Louisville), passed away Sunday evening, March 16, 2025, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia.

                Graveside services will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia, where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Glenda.

                Don was born on September 12, 1932 to the late Paul and Beulah (McCraw) Erwin, in rural Louisville, Illinois. He was the seventh of a total of nine children, the farm family would eventually welcome into this world. Being born into a large family during the height of the Great Depression, he was instilled in the value of hard work and determination. He spent many hours as a youth on the family farm. He could fix anything and became a skilled carpenter, thanks to his Dad who passed on his skills.

                He was a 1951 graduate of Clay City High School. Upon graduation, he worked in the oil fields of Oklahoma and Texas. However, in 1952, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years aboard the USS Bayfield as a Radarman Division Petty Officer during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return, he attended and graduated from Eastern Illinois University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in 1960. He taught Industrial Arts at North Clay Community High School in Louisville until his retirement in 1992. He was also a part-time instructor for the Illinois Eastern Community College system for over a decade.

                Don was married to Glenda Marie Bailey on March 22, 1958, in Hernando, Mississippi. They were married for over 61 years, until her passing in May of 2019. During their six plus decades of marriage they traveled extensively in many motorhomes and eventually settled in Mission, Texas following his retirement. They later relocated to Gainesville, Georgia to be closer to family in 2007.

                To this marriage, they had two children – Dr. Steve (Lori) Erwin of Pittsburgh, Kansas and Mark (Kelly) Erwin of Gainesville, Georgia. Also left to mourn his passing are siblings Marilyn Cockerell of Clay City, Illinois; and Jerry (Donna) Erwin of Olney, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Audrey Erwin of Olney, Illinois; Dr. Jace (Kelly) Erwin of Cincinnati, Ohio; Liza Erwin of Tampa, Florida; Keller Erwin and Jaxx Erwin of Pittsburgh, Kansas; Steven (Katelyn) Margherio of Gainesville, Georgia and Sara (Marc) Garrison of Cumming, Georgia. He also leaves behind six, great-grandchildren with one soon to arrive in July.

                He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and siblings, Dale, Jack, George, Jim, Erba and Jean.

                In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Paul E. Bolding Post 7, 2343 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. www.gainesvilleamericanlegion.org .       

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200.

For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com