Kathleen Ervin

May 26, 1931 — March 25, 2025

“Kay” Adele Ervin, 93, of Illiopolis, Illinois, passed away on March 25, 2025. She was born on May 26, 1931, in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of Esther (“Mimi”) Irene Reeves and John Reeves. She married Richard Herbert Ervin on November 28, 1959. She is survived by daughters Kimberly Ann Ervin (husband Martin Stahl) and Cynthia Irene Ervin, both from Illiopolis; grandchildren, Jake Ervin Stahl of Decatur, Mackenzie Ryan Kokal of Chicago, and Madison Reeves Kokal of Davenport, Iowa; two sisters-in-law, Rosella Ervin Young of Illiopolis and Sandra Ervin Bowen of Park Ridge, Illinois; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and cherished cousin Earl C. Evans.

Kathleen dedicated her life to the care and service of others. She began her journey in nursing at St. John’s Nursing Program in Springfield, Illinois, graduating in 1952. With a passion for surgical care, she went on to receive her graduate degree in surgical nursing from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon graduating, she returned to Springfield and served as the Supervisor of Surgery at Memorial Medical Center. It was during this time that she met and married Richard Ervin. After taking some time to raise their daughters, Kathleen returned to the medical field as a clinical instructor at Latham Estates in Latham, Illinois, and the Capital Area Vocational Center in Springfield, where she passed on her knowledge and compassion to future nurses and certified nursing assistants. She later continued this legacy at Vonderlieth Living Center in Mt. Pulaski, Illinois, where she started and led the Nursing Aid Training Program for more than 19 years. Many of her students went on to become nurses, a testament to her mentorship and influence.

Kathleen retired from nursing in 1998, concluding a distinguished career that spanned over 46 years. Even in retirement, she remained the first-person friends and neighbors would call if they needed their blood pressure taken, their stiches taken out, a wound mended or just some medical advice. While caring for others was her passion, it was the role of grandmother that was her greatest joy. While her hands healed many in her work as a nurse, they held her grandchildren with the deepest love. Her eyes lit up with every hug, every story, and every milestone shared with them.

Kathleen was a truly social person who never met a stranger, always greeting everyone with warmth and kindness and offering to make her famous cream puffs for any occasion. Her warm smile and kind heart made everyone feel welcome and at ease. Kathleen leaves behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and unwavering service to others and will be remembered for her kindness, deep commitment to nursing, fierce love for her family, and the quiet, steadfast way she served others throughout her life. She also will be remembered for her deep love of animals and Duke basketball.

Kathleen was a member of the Illiopolis United Methodist Church, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

As a devoted nurse who faced life and death with grace, she requested no visitation or funeral service, preferring instead a quiet, private remembrance. Her family will respect her wishes.

Memorial donations may be made to the Decatur & Macon County Animal Shelter Foundation, P.O. Box 633, Decatur, IL 62525.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kathleen Ervin, please visit our flower store.

Send a Card

Kathleen Ervin

May 26, 1931 — March 25, 2025

Guestbook