Helen M. Erb

Helen Marie Erb, 92, of Wapakoneta, passed away Sunday morning, June 14, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 4, 1934, in New Knoxville, Ohio, the daughter of the late Eli H. and Bertha F. (Vodermark) Timmerman. On September 27, 1952, she married Lewis W. “Louie” Erb, Sr., and he survives. Other survivors include, children, Deborah “Deb” and James Kaeck, Pamela “Pam” and Gary Halfhill, Lewis “Louie” Jr.-dec and Cindy Erb, Mark and Cheryl Erb, Mary Helen (Jeff) Adkins, Todd and Carol Erb, all of Wapakoneta; special exchange student, Aija Kalander, Finland; 17 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, son Louie, one infant grand-daughter Mariah Halfhill, and two infant great-grandchildren (Kylie Hole and Griffin Brandt) , she was preceded in death by her siblings, Dorothy Wibbeler, Delores “Orrie” Burden, Ruth Berry, Martha “LaRue” Shoemaker, Marvin Timmerman, Larry Timmerman, Robert Timmerman, and Theodore “Ted” Timmerman. Helen started her working career in the family business (Erb Poultry, Inc.) When her youngest child was in school full time, she went to school to become a nurse and graduated at the top of her class. The next 25 years were spent as a surgical scrub nurse working with Dr. Soo, a neuro surgeon at Lima Memorial Hospital. She continued to help with Erb BBQ until her health wouldn’t allow her to. Helen was the proud mother of 6 children. The family calendar was always full and rarely was anything forgotten. She taught us to love the Lord and to eat supper together every night. She was a great cook. Family dinners now are something to behold. She took us camping almost every weekend in the summer, either to St. Mary’s or Indian Lake. Helen, above all things, loved her children, grandchildren, great and great-great children fiercely. She attended as many sporting events as she could. She attended but didn’t always watch. There are some wrestlers in the family and she would hide her eyes when her boys were up. Once all her 6 children were on their own, her and Louie loved to travel. They visited all 50 states and wintered many years in Mesa, Arizona where they developed lasting friendships. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, June 19, 2026, at the Eley Funeral Home & Crematory, St. Rt. 501, Wapakoneta, with Pastor Kevin Hall officiating. Burial is to follow in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Wapakoneta. There will be a luncheon at St. Paul United Church of Christ Wapakoneta following the burial. The family will receive friends 4-8 p.m., Thursday, June 18, and 11:00 a.m. until time of the service Friday. Memorial contributions may be directed to Boys Town. Condolences may be expressed at www.eleyfuneralhomeandcrematory.com. The family would like to thank Wilson Hospice and Jessie Steinke CNP, for the great care they gave Helen.

Helen M. Erb

February 4, 1934 - June 14, 2026