S Verna E. (Merrill) Erhardt

WEST BOYLSTON / SPRINGFIELD – Verna E. (Merrill) Erhardt, 95, formerly of West Boylston and currently of Springfield, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011 in Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City.

She was born and raised in West Boylston, daughter of George G. and Florence M. (Reed) Merrill, and lived most of her life in Springfield. She graduated from West Boylston High School and was a licensed hairdresser.

Verna was a member of the Foster Memorial Church in Springfield where she served as a Deaconess. She also was member of two local church groups, The Chimney Corner and The Neighborhood Circle where she served as President and Vice President. An avid gardener, she belonged to the Sixteen Acres Garden Club and served as President and Vice President of the Forest Park Mothers' Club.

Her husband of 49 years, Oscar "Bud" B. Erhardt, died in 1987. She leaves two sons, William R. Erhardt of Vernon, CT and Robert J. Erhardt of Springfield; and a special friend, Gloria J. Deske of Vernon, CT. A brother, Norman Merrill predeceased her.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Monday, July 25, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Church Street, West Boylston. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.

To share a memory or offer an on-line condolence visit www.milesfuneralhome.com