ATHENS, Ohio –– Lela I. Ervin, age 88, of Middleport and formerly of Athens, died in the morning on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Overbrook Rehabilitation Center. Born October 26, 1936 in Parkersburg, WV, she was the daughter of the late Edmund and Irene Flint Grueser.
A 1954 graduate of Pomeroy High School, she had been employed at Crow’s Steakhouse (where she met Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame), BRW Hardware, Pomeroy Elementary School, McBee’s Corporation, and was assistant clerk to the Meigs Local School Board. She was a member of Forest Run Methodist Church of Racine and Christ the King Catholic Church of Athens. She was active in the Ladies Group at both churches. She enjoyed reading, yard work and tending her flowers.
Lela is survived by her daughter, Sandra (David) Swisher of Middleport; two grandchildren, Robert E. Swisher of Taipei, Taiwan and Kimberly L. Swisher of Lexington, KY; two step daughters, Harriett (Walter) Wharton of Sacramento, CA, and Martha Dittiacur of Columbus; a step-son, Allen Ervin of Athens; several step-grandchildren; a sister, Pam (Arie) Koporaal of Whitter, CA; two brothers, John (Juanita) Grueser of Racine and Tom (Susanne) Grueser of Whitter, CA; also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents as well as her first husband, Robert Curtis in 1982 and her second husband, Walter Ervin in 2003.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 1:00 p.m. at Beechgrove Cemetery, Pomeroy with Pastor Wesley Thoene officiating. Friends may call Jagers & Sons Funeral Home in Athens from 11 a.m. to noon on the same day. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Forest Run Methodist Church, 43712 Forest Run Road, Racine, Ohio, 45771 or the Athens Catholic Community, 75 Stewart St., Athens, OH, 45701. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
The family appreciates the loving care Lela received and thank the nurses and staff of both Overbrook Rehabilitation Center and Amedisys Hospice.
