- Date Of Birth: July 2, 1916
- Date Of Death: February 25, 2016
- State: Illinois
Harry F. Erlenborn, 99, of Peru, passed away February 25, 2016 at Manor Court in Peru.
A public memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at the First Congregational Church in Peru with Rev. Karl Johnson, officiating.
Mr. Erlenborn was born July 2, 1916 in Peru to Fred P. and Elizabeth (Braun) Erlenborn. He married his wife of 70 years Shirley L. Flohr on June 28, 1941 in Chicago. She passed away February 21, 2012. Harry attended Peru Public Schools and LaSalle-Peru Township High School.
He graduated from Walton College of Commerce in Chicago with a B.S. degree in accounting and business administration. He began his career at American Nickeloid Co. on September 9, 1937 as an accountant. He entered the US Army in 1945 and became the office manager of the base PX exchange serving 60,000 men in Okinawa preparing for the final invasion of Japan in WWII.
After discharge from the Army in late 1946 he resumed his career at the American Nickeloid. He retired as General Manager of the company in 1985, but remained on the board of directors until 2012. He served 75 years with the company. He was active in many local organizations. He was President of Peoples Hospital when it was merged to become Illinois Valley community Hospital. He served in every capacity for 45 years. For many years he was a board member of the First National Bank in Peru. He also was a member of Peru Rotary Club and served as President. He was active in many positions at the First Congregational Church in Peru when he became a member in 1941. He was a member of the American Legion for 71 years.
He was an avid L-P basketball fan holding his season tickets for nearly 50 years. His favorite teams were the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls. He was very instrumental as IVCH Foundation President and helped start the IVCH Hospice. He was an initial inaugurate of LPOs/IVCC Hall of Fame in 2008. He is survived by two sons, James (Nancy) Erlenborn and Robert (Debra) Erlenborn both of Peru; 7 grandchildren, Nicole Poer, Jim Erlenborn, Patricia Pangrcic, Jacob Erlenborn, Kiersten McMahon, Andy Erlenborn, and Julie Barr; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Shirley. Pallbearers will be Jim Erlenborn, Jake Erlenborn, Andy Erlenborn, Brad Poer, Matt Pangrcic, Matt Barr and Bryan McMahon
