Obit: Steiger, Ervin J. (1929 - 2005)

Contact: Audrey Roedel
Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: STEIGER KAUFFMAN RIEDY

----Sources: Loyal TRG 28 December 2005

Steiger, Ervin J. (13 DEC 1929 - 19 DEC 2005)

Ervin John "Ertz" Steiger, 76, Neillsville, passed away on Monday, Dec. 19, 2005, at Neillsville Memorial Medical Center. His family surrounded him as he peacefully entered eternal life. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 27, at the Neillsville United Church of Christ. The Rev. James Mohr officiated. Burial was in the Neillsville Cemetery.

Ervin John Steiger was born on Dec. 13, 1929, to Edwin and Ella (nee Reineking) Steiger in the town of Warner near Greenwood. He was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel E&R, now United Church of Christ, near Greenwood. He was a 1947 graduate of Greenwood High School. Music played a major part of his life, playing trombone and singing were his passions. In 1946, he helped organize the Howie Sturtz Orchestra where he was a member for more than 50 years. He was the "Ertz" of the "Ertz and Sturtz" duo. On May 13, 1950, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Jean Kauffman, Loyal, at Loyal Methodist Church. He first worked at the Greenwood Gleaner and then at the Clark County Press in Neillsville, Wis. In 1949, he was employed as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Production Credit Association of Neillsville, Wis. He worked his way to loan officer and in 1957, was appointed as president for the farmer-owned Production Credit Association of Neillsville, Wis. By his retirement from the farm credit service in 1985, he had become the chief executive officer for the PCA loan officers in Neillsville, Black River Falls and Thorp that provided financial service to farmers in Clark, Taylor and Jackson counties. After his first retirement, he went on to work with the Farmers Home Administration, the Co-op Credit Association of Black River Fall, the Citizens State Bank of Loyal, and was a driver for Abby Vans. He additionally worked with WCCN-AM where he recorded many voice "tags" to introduce "The Best Music" from Big Band to Classic Oldies. He was very active community citizen and Volunteer. He was a member of the 32nd Division Wisconsin National Guard 128th Service Company, based in Neillsville from 1949-55. He served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 64, Neillsville, from 1968-71. He was extremely active with the Neillsville United Church of Christ where he served as Sunday school director, board member and most noteworthy as a 50 year member of the senior choir. Over the past 10 years, he helped coordinate the Salvation Army collection kettles in and around the Neillsville area. In addition to volunteer activities, he was a member of the Future Farmers of America, Rotary International, Jaycees, Neillsville Masonic Lodge # 173, Black River Falls Royal Arch Masons Chapter # 41, Knights Templar Commandery # 8 Eau Claire, and Zor Shrine Temple of Madison. His hobbies besides his family, friends, trombone and singing were his golf game and world traveling.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his two sons, Keith (Betty) Steiger, Howard Grove, and David Steiger, Neillsville; his daughter, Debra (James) Riedy, Oakland Township, Mich.; and five grandchildren, BeNjamin, Matthew, Katherine, Kelly and Thomas. He is further survived by his brother, Kenneth (Janice) Steiger, Onalaska, and additional nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death were his parents; three sisters, Marion, Evelyn, and Beatrice; and an infant son, John.

Memorials will be divided between some of his favorite charities including the United Church of Christ, the Salvation Army, the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association/ALS research.

Gesche Funeral Home, Neillsville, assisted the family with arrangements.