Erwood (Erv) H. Slade
ESCANABA – Erwood (Erv) H. Slade, 79, of 1527 S. 14th St., Escanaba, passed away Friday, April 26, 2013, at St. Francis Hospital. He was born on Sept. 7, 1933, in Stambaugh, Mich., and was the son of Erwood H. and Stephanie (Garrett) Slade. Erv was a graduate of Ironwood High School Class of 1951. Following high school, he continued his education at Gogebic Community College for two years and then transferred to Northern Michigan University where he received his bachelors of arts degree in teaching with a major in history and a double minor in economics and conservation. He then earned a masters of arts degree in educational and administrative supervision from Michigan State University.
On Nov. 2, 1957, Erwood H. Slade married the former Marilyn Zuchowski in Ironwood, Mich.
Erv started his employment career in Yale, Mich., where he taught in the high school for two years along with coaching and driving school bus from time to time. He then transferred to Escanaba and began working for the Escanaba School District as a teacher at the junior high from 1957 to 1969 and also refereed basketball. In 1970 Erv accepted the position of principal at the Escanaba Junior High School and remained there until his retirement in 1993. Erv was a devoted teacher and principal and enjoyed his time with the students very much.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, past Master of Delta Lodge 195 F&A.M., Past Worthy Patron of the Escanaba Order of Eastern Star, Past Grand Representative of Vermont Eastern Star in Michigan, former DeMolay Advisor, and a member of the Principal’s Association of Michigan.
Erv had a great love for his family and close friends and treasured spending time with them at home and at the family camp. He enjoyed many different activities including: large gardens, his time on the “Chain Gang” for the home football games, traveling, especially his trips to Alaska, tinkering around the house and camp, hunting with his friends, and fishing, too.
Erwood is survived by: wife, Marilyn, Escanaba; sons, Gary Slade, Eau Claire, Wis., and Dale (Sandra), Baku, Azerbaijan; grandsons, Hunter and Mason; brothers, Robert Slade, Escanaba, and Russell (Sandra) Slade, Goodnews Bay, Alaska.
His parents, Erwood and Stephanie, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating the life of Erwood H. Slade will follow at 4 p.m. in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Margery Host of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will take place in the Lakeview Cemetery. Those wishing to offer a memorial in Erv’s honor are kindly asked to choose the charity of their choice.
Expressions of sympathy and online condolences may be directed to the Slade family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.
