Submitted by: John C. Monk

Edith M. Erhardt

Dec. 21, 1911 - Dec. 12, 2009
OSCEOLA - Edith Maud Erhardt (Betty) nee Earl, of Oxford, England, formerly of, Osceola, Indiana, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2009, following a short stay at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, England. Betty was born on December 21, 1911, in Oxford, England. She was the daughter of an hereditary Freeman of the City of Oxford, a tradition within the family date back to before the 16th century. During the 2nd World War, she played her part by working at the armaments factory at Cowley, England, it was during this time that she met and married Harold John (Jerry) Erhardt, who preceded her in death in 1983. They returned to the United States and lived happily in a home that they built in Osceola, Indiana on the St. Joseph River. Mrs. Erhardt came to the United States as a master English Tailor and worked for Spiro's of South Bend and Robertson's Department Store. After the death of Jerry, she returned to her beloved homeland, Oxford, to reside near her sisters and brother. Mrs. Erhardt is survived by her brother, Reg Earl of Oxford, England, a niece, Gill Earl of Oxford, England, and many nieces and nephews of Oxford, England, stepdaughter, Eloise Taberski of South Bend, Indiana. She is survived by thirteen grandchildren, Carole Sandner (Jack) of Lake Bluff, Illinois, Roger Erhardt (Carol) of Wadsworth, Illinois, Deborah Hickey (Ron) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Ruth Erhardt of South Bend, Indiana, George Erhardt (Tammy) of Mishawaka, Indiana, Sandy Erhardt of Mishawaka, Indiana, Tina Lane (Mike) of Mishawaka, Indiana, Cynthia Jones (David) of Niles, Michigan, Rosemarie Haage of Highland Park, Illinois, Richard Erhardt II of South Bend, Indiana. Raymond Taberski (Stacey) of North Liberty, Indiana, Raynard Taberski (Pat) of South Bend, Indiana, and Radene Tidey (Kenny) of South Bend, Indiana. She was preceded in death by Richard Erhardt, Sr., granddaughters, Diane Taberski, Alice Taberski, Radell Zawistowski (Joe), Marie Holmes, Pamela Erhardt all of South Bend, Indiana. Also survived by fifty-six great grandchildren and forty-five great great-grandchildren. Mrs. Erhardt may best be remembered for her love of her family, young people and animals. She never tired of traveling to and from the United States. Her love of nature and the water, enabled her to teach many young people to swim and boat. She would gather grandchildren, great grandchildren, boys and girls alike around her chair and teach them knitting and tell her stories, in her beautiful English dialect, of her beloved Oxford. Her uncanny knowledge of world politics kept her grandchildren and great grandchildren well informed. Her laughter was contagious and enthusiasm for life kept her young. She will be greatly missed by all. Private family services will be held in Lake Bluff, Illinois. A wake will be held at Anchor Court, St. Clements, Oxford, England on January 4th, 2010. Betty will be missed by all who love her.

Published in South Bend Tribune on December 19, 2009