Duane Edward Ervin's Obituary
Duane Edward Ervin, age 73, of Centerville, passed away Monday, March 3, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.
Duane was born on February 2, 1952 in Centerville, Iowa, the son of Sherman Edward and Doris Jean (Phillips) Ervin. He graduated from Centerville High School with the Class of 1971. He then furthered his education with his apprenticeship with the International Union of Brick Layers and Allied Craftsman. Duane was a member of the last group from the Centerville area drafted during the Vietnam era on June 28, 1972. He served his country faithfully, and was honorably discharged on June 27, 1974.
In 1976, Duane was united in marriage to Rosemary Cortesio. To this union, three children were born, Kerri, Jacob and David. The couple ultimately went their separate ways and continued to raise their children to be the best they could be.
Duane continued his lifelong legacy of masonry building and restoring buildings all over southern Iowa and the Midwest for union contractors and later becoming partners with his son to create Ervin Masonry from which he retired in 2016.
In his free time, Duane enjoyed hunting, gardening, working, fishing, going out to eat with the guys, deer hunting with his grandchildren, and of course, teasing his grandchildren every chance he could.
Left to honor Duane's memory are his children, Kerri (Steve) Salevsky, Jacob Ervin (Angela Shinn) and David Ervin (Kayla Engle); his grandchildren, Zackary Salevsky, Brandon Salevsky, Nicholas Salevsky (Natalie Thomas), Cheyenne (Billy) Howington, Dalton Ervin (Madison Furnish), and Jaxon Ervin; his honorary grandchildren, Becca Roberts, Chrystal Albertson, Marshall Albertson, Kjirsten Albertson and Lincoln Albertson; his siblings, Deb (Don) Hastings and Kathy (Carlo) Cossolotto; his brother-in-law, Gene Swan; a special nephew, Michael Cossolotto; special friends, Donnie Cossolotto, David Ervin, and Gary Hull; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Doris Ervin; and his sister, Linda Swan.
Funeral services for Duane will be held at 1:00PM, Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Cincinnati. Visitation will take place Friday, March 7, 2025 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with the family greeting friends from 5:00-8:00PM. Memorials have been established to either the American Legion Post 214 or 18-80 Club, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Ervin Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at https://www.thomasfh.com or https://www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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