Erwin H. Brey, 101, of Sparta died Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at his home.
He was born Sept. 14, 1909, in Ontario to Harry and Lela (Wurster) Brey. He grew up in Ontario and worked for Overgaard Contruction in Elroy. He then farmed near Ontario and Elroy before farming in Cannon Valley near Leon, Wis., from 1948 to 1968. Erwin married Thelma Lombard on March 25, 1933, in Ontario. After farming, they moved to Rockland, and Erwin worked at Webster Lumber. They moved to Sparta in 1969, and he retired in 1979. His caregivers for the last eight years were his daughter, Phyllis; his grandson, Robin; and his aides.
Erwin enjoyed trapping with his grandson Rodney, the outdoors, and looking for ginseng. He loved his cat, Fuzz Tail. He was a great father and grandpa. We will miss you, dad.
Erwin is survived by his daughter, Phyllis Aney of Sparta; his son, Larry (Bernadine) Brey of Fort Wayne, Ind.; his grandchildren, Rodney (Sue) Aney, Steven Aney and Robin Aney, all of Sparta, Sherry Slavin of Fort Wayne, Larry Jr. (Kathy) Brey of Fort Wayne and Cathy (Wayne) Hinds of Janesville; 12 great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Hester Smith of Lusk, Wyo.; and a brother, Roger (Carol) Brey of Hillsboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Lela; his wife, Thelma, on Jan. 26, 2002; four sisters, Melva Timmerman, Ruby Vitcenda, Garnet Budde and Hazel Michalski; and a brother, Paul Brey.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Rev. Rey Diaz officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Sparta. Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 5–8 p.m. Monday and from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home Tuesday. Online condolences may be offered at www.lanham-miller.com. The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
