Ervin P. Bonlender Jr., 82, of Kewaskum, passed away on Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at Clearview South in Juneau.

He was born on July 30, 1926, in St. Kilian, the son of the late Ervin and Margaret (Heisler) Bonlender Sr.

On Sept. 24, 1949, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Thoma at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Milwaukee. His wife preceded him in death on May 2, 1998.

Ervin proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy during World War II and was employed by Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, retiring in 1988 after 33 years of service.

Plagemann of Horicon and Fern (Karl) Ryan of Eden; two brothers-in-law, Andrew Bonlender of St. Kilian and John (Marion) Thoma of West Bend; two sisters-in-law, Eileen Bonlender and Doris Bonlender, both of Kewaskum; five grandchildren, Andrea (Jeremiah) Wulf, Sarah (Jason) Braatz, Tim (Sue) Bonlender, Michael and Andrew Bonlender; three greatgrandchildren, Nolan and Sullivan Wulf and Mason Braatz; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his wife and parents, Ervin was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Patricia; a sister, Margaret Bonlender; two brothers, Harold and Robert Bonlender; and a brother-in-law, Donald Plagemann.

He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum, the Robert G. Romaine American Legion Post 384, Kewaskum, where he was a past commander, a past member of the Kewaskum Sportsmen’s Club and Kewaskum Snow Chiefs.

Ervin will fondly be remembered for his love of fishing with his wife, hickory nut picking, spending time with his grandchildren and listening to polka music on the radio.

He will be deeply missed by his family and by all who knew him.

Survivors include three children, Kenneth (Sandra) Bonlender of Kewaskum, Ronald (Jane) Bonlender of Middleton and Nancy (Todd) Waechter of Kewaskum; two brothers, Leo Bonlender of Kewaskum and Joseph (Louise) Bonlender of Campbellsport; two sisters, Florence

A Mass of Christian burial for Ervin will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kewaskum with Fr. Edwin Kornath officiating.

Military honor rites by the Robert G. Romaine American Legion Post 384 Kewaskum will follow Mass and entombment will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Fond du Lac.

Relatives and friends may call on Thursday at the church from 4 p.m. until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated.

The Miller Funeral Home in Kewaskum has been entrusted with Ervin’s arrangements.

Additional information and guest book may be found at www.millermartinfh.com.