Erhard “Ed” H. Harms, age 90 died Thursday December 21, 2006 at Colonial Manor in Amana following an extended illness. A private family service will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Pastor Wayne Woolery officiating. Burial will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island, IL with Pastor Les Dumer officiating. Memorials may be contributed to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Homestead, IA or the charity of the donor’s choice.

He is survived by two sons, David (Cathy) of East Moline, IL; and Richard (Sonia) of Dallas, TX; a daughter Elva “Ellie” (Norman) Trondsen of Grass Valley, CA and three grandchildren, Andrew, Heidi, and Erik Harms. He is also survived by two sisters Beata Blaylock and Elda Bennett, both of Gurnee, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Marie Mueller Harms, his wife Sylvia in 2004, and three sisters Elva Harms, Vera Mason, and Lota Niemand.

Erhard Herman Harms was born the son of Herman and Marie (Mueller) Harms at Batavia, IL. He graduated from Davenport High School and attended Concordia College in Milwaukee. He graduated with a Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He married Sylvia Klunder on Feb. 8 1942 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Davenport. He served in the U.S. Army as a chaplain for over 24 years being discharged at the rank of Colonel. After retiring from the military, Erhard served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Coal Valley, IL. He also worked as an EMT while there. Following his retirement from the ministry the couple lived in Paris, IL for ten years, and for the past five years they have resided in Amana. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Homestead, Iowa and in earlier years was a member of Lions Club.