Royal Erskin Jr.'s Obituary
Royal Erskin Jr., age 89, of Vestaburg, Michigan passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center in Alma, Michigan, after a long battle with Congestive Heart Failure and Parkinson's Disease. Jr was born on June 12, 1932, in Richland Township, the son of Royal and Mary Elizabeth (Hawk) Erskin Sr. Jr was raised in Vestaburg and attended the Losey Country School until 8th grade and then continued his education at Vestaburg High School graduating with the Class of 1949. Jr was drafted by the Army during the Korean War, in which he proudly and honorably served his country as a sergeant for four years, from 1950 - 1954. Jr married Joyce Marie Norris on May 7, 1957, in Alma, Michigan. Starting in 1957, Jr was the owner operator of the Erskin Refinery Service in Vestaburg until he retired in January of 1992. He enjoyed motorcycling, boating, camping, and vacationing in Michigan. He loved spending winters in Florida with his siblings, family, and church gatherings. He was a member of the Pine River Church of God, and a former member of the Vestaburg Lions Club, the Northeast Montcalm Area Council, the Vestaburg Businessmen's association (for runner to NEMEC). Jr was a Vestaburg Pioneer Honorary and was a church board member and officer multiple times in different capacities.
Jr is survived in death by his children, David (Marilyn) Erskin of Vestaburg and his children, Ashley (Michael) Slack, and Nicole (Calieb) Humble, Eric (Diane) Erskin of Delphi, Indiana, and his children Anna Williams, Amy (Ello) McDonald, David, Andrew, Susan, and Megan Erskin, and Lisa (Mark) Rogers of Vestaburg and her children Kate (Jacob) Drury, and Matthew (Kelsey) Rogers; great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Jayden, Aleah, Memphis, Everett, Sierra, Paityn, Alexa, Everly, Gracelyn, and two on the way; one sister, Carroll Ann (Michael) Brophy of Holly; sister-in-law, Betty Erskin of Sparta; and several nieces, nephews, and church family.
Jr was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Erskin; parents, Royal and Elizabeth Erskin Sr.; great-granddaughter, Abigail Williams; siblings, Nyle, Clair, Melvin, and Raymond Erskin, Evelyn Stilson, Donna Jean Wood, Geraldine Schaeffer, and one stillborn sister; parents-in-law, Lester and Bernice Norris.
Funeral services for Jr will be Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at the Pine River Church of God at 2:00 P.M. The family will accept friends for visitation on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at the church from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. and on Wednesday, one hour before the service. A luncheon will be held at the church following the interment at Richland Twp. Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Pine River Church of God or the Mid-Michigan Honor Flight.
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