Clyde A. Erxleben
Clyde A. Erxleben, 97, of Sullivan, MO, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020 at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, MO.
Clyde was born in St. Louis, MO, to Charles Fredrick and Nancy (Fowler) Erxleben, one of ten children. He lived in St. Louis with his parents until marrying Gladys Elizabeth (Edwards) on November 8, 1942, and he left for the U.S. Army in 1943. To this union, three children were born, Gloria Jean, Steven Edward and Clyde Douglas.
Clyde served from February 1943 to October 1945. After his basic training, he shipped out and went overseas and fought in Germany, in the Battle of the Bulge, and in Rhineland, Germany, and in the Central European Theatre. He also fought battles in England, France, Luxemburg, and Belgium in the Ardennes, which is the northeastern woods of Belgium. Clyde was awarded one purple heart for being wounded during battle in Germany; an Oak Leaf Cluster for being wounded a second time during battle in Germany; and a bronze star for leading his infantry and running Germans out of Belgium. When Clyde returned to Sullivan, he went to work for Ramsey Corporation. He worked for Ramsey until his retirement in 1985.
Clyde played baseball on the Sullivan men’s league traveling team. He loved to fish and hunt, which he did up into his nineties. He also coached little league baseball for many years. Clyde loved to garden vegetables and flowers.
Clyde loved to play with his grandkids and great grandkids, winding them up so tight, that he was in trouble with Gladys. He was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle.
Clyde is survived by his daughter, Gloria Stack and husband, Glenn; two sons, Steven Erxleben and wife, Maggie, and Doug (Clyde) Erxleben and wife, Teresa, all of Sullivan, MO; 9 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; his parents, Charles and Nancy Erxleben; three sisters: Lucille Hummel, Marie Hoge, and Lorraine Lewellen; six brothers: Earl, Lester, Charlie, Ray, Warren, and Stewart Erxleben.
Funeral Services for Mr. Erxleben was private, for family only, and was conducted on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at the Eaton Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Scott Perry. Visitation was also for immediate family only; masks were necessary and was provided if needed.
Mr. Erxleben was interred on Friday, September 11, 2020 in I.O.O.F. Memorial Cemetery, with full military honors.
Memorial contributions in Clyde’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
All arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.