AVA, Erwin Henry Robert Fritsche, 93, of Ava, passed away at 4:50 A.M. Wednesday, December 30, 2009, at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro, IL. Erwin was born December 24, 1916 in Jacob, Illinois the son of Karl G. Fritsche and Ida M. (Luedemann) Fritsche. He married Virginia A. Claussen Fritsche on June 3, 1939 in Jacob, IL and she passed away on August 27, 1977, he then married Hulda Habermann Luedeman Fritsche on September 16, 1979 in Campbell Hill, IL and she passed away on May 17, 1985, he later married Yvonne Pewe on December 5, 1987 in Alamo, TX, she passed away on September 25, 2003. He is survived by two sons: Rev. James and Nancy Fritsche of Edmondton Alberta, Canada, Larry and Pam Fritsche of Ava, IL; daughter: Michelle and Mike Smith of Ava, IL; eight grandchildren: Niki and Zack Ziarnek of Ava, IL, Heather Fritsche and Fiancée Steve Casner of Cypress, IL, Virginia Smith of Ava, IL, Jeremy and Lee Fritsche of Canada, Erin and Mark Schutz of Canada, Amy and Jeff Nachtigall of Canada, Amanda and David Lussier of Canada , and Nathon Fritsche of Canada; eight great grandchildren; Many Stepchildren, grandchildren, great grandchildren whom he loved dearly; sister: Lornie Hollmann of Jacob, IL. Erwin was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Battery C 141st Division Anti-Aircraft Artillery; he enlisted on May 27, 1943. Served in European Theater Operation from September 1944 to January 1946, earned the following medals: Good Conduct, European African Middle Eastern Campaign and Service Medal, American Campaign and Service Medal, Victory World War II Campaign and Service Medal and Army of Occupation in Germany Medal. He was a lifetime member of Kaskaskia VFW Post #3553 Chester, IL, Past Director of Jackson County Farm Bureau, Former member and Chairman of Jackson County Soil and Water District, former member of Jackson County Extension, Former member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, serving as an officer on every committee throughout the years, former member of Zion lutheran church in Alamo, TX, serving on Usher board and Auditing Committee, Served as a member in "Laborers for Christ" Missions for 2 years, where he helped to build churches in Canada. He was also a current member of Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob, IL Erwin was a retired farmer and carpenter, he also enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and foreign countries. Erwin was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and sisters, Raymond Fritsche, Dorothy Verseman, Wilbert Fritsche and Cecilia Fritsche. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 4, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. at Christ Lutheran Church in Jacob. Rev. Mike Kettner of Christ Lutheran Church will be officiating. Burial will be at Glenn Cemetery in Jacob, IL. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava on Sunday from 5 to 8pm and then on Monday from 7:30 to 9 am and then from 10 to 11am at the church.