Person Page - 1225

     Ray Forest Erdman was born on 29 August 1923, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^4,1,3,5 He was the son of William Walter Erdman and Mabel Minnie Wolfgang.³ Ray Forest Erdman married Ethel Mae Derck, daughter of John Sylvester Derck and Rosie Clara Crawford, on 29 January 1932.^3,4
Newspaper obituary:
Self-immolation Causes Death Of Hegins RD1 Man
A 45-year-old Schuylkill County man, with a history of mental illness, died this morning at Pottsville Hospital, the result of burns sustained by self immolation.
Ray F. Erdman, Hegins RD1, died in the intensive care unit of the hospital where he had been placed Tuesday afternoon. He was in critical condition suffering from burns of the entire body inflicted around noon Tuesday.
His death, by self-immolation was the second suicide attempt this year by Mr. Erdman and it was the second violent death in his immediate family in less than two years.
On Oct. 7, 1967, his 24-year-old son, John R. Erdman, committed suicide when his parked car was destroyed by dynamite. He was parked at the home of his estranged wife when the explosion occurred.
The most recent suicide occurred following a civil disturbance between Mr. Erdman his wife Ethel. According Hegins police and state police at Schuylkill Haven they were attempting to serve a warrant on the man charging him with assault and battery. The charge was lodged by his wife.
Police officer Melvin Stutzman, of Hegins, said he knew of the man's mental and requested assistance from the state police in issuing warrant. Assigned to assist him were Cpl. Frank Fetterolf and Troopers Thomas Hamleosky and Earl Lash.
As the police approached the Erdman home, Mr. Erdman, who they feel was watching them approach, opened the front door and completely doused himself with gasoline. He struck a match and set fire to his clothing.
He ran from-the house completely engulfed in flames and the police, not knowing if he was armed, attempted to stop him. When he fell down the troopers started ripping off his clothing. In the process of doing this Cpl. Fetterolf suffered minor burns of the hands.
An ambulance was called and the man was rushed to the Tri-Valley Medical Center where he was treated by Dr. Herring of Vallev View. After being treated he was transferred the hospital.
The man was described as a former mental patient earlier this year had been hospitalized following an unsuccessful suicide attempt. He had taken an overdose of sleeping pills.
Mr. Erdman was born in Klingerstown, Aug. 29, 1923, a son of Mabel Wolfgang Erdman and the late William Erdman. On Jan. 29, 1932 he married the former Ethel M. Derck. He was a self employed coal miner.
He was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church, Mahantango, and the Valley View Fire Company.
Survivors in addition to his widow include his mother of Spring Glen and a son, Kenneth L. Erdman, stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters, Mrs. Helen Reinoehl and Guy Erdman, both of Klingerstown; Jay and Kenneth Erdman, both of Valley View; Eugene and Erdman and Mrs. Lila Derck, both of Herndon RD1; Leo Erdman, Spring Glen; Mrs. Matilda Rockwell, Ashland, and Clair Erdman, Gratz.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. from the Robert E. Blank funeral home, 844 Shamokin St., Trevorton. Lester Kerstetter, lay minister, will officiate. Interment will be made in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington. Friends will be received at the funeral home Friday evening.
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 02 Apr 1969, Wed, Pages 1, 14.⁶
Ray Forest Erdman died on 2 April 1969, Pottsville Hospital, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 45.^2,1,3,5 He was buried on 5 April 1969, at Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington, Northumberland County, PA.^3,2,4

     Ethel Mae Derck was born on 29 October 1924, West Cameron, Northumberland County, PA.^3,1,4 She was the daughter of John Sylvester Derck and Rosie Clara Crawford.² Ethel Mae Derck married Ray Forest Erdman, son of William Walter Erdman and Mabel Minnie Wolfgang, on 29 January 1932.^1,5 Ethel Mae Derck died on 9 July 1991, Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 66.^1,4,3
Newspaper obituary:
Ethel M. Erdman, 66, Hegins RD1
HEGINS -- Ethel M. Erdman, 66, of Hegins RD1 died at 2:38 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 1991, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville.
Born Oct. 29, 1924, at West Cameron, she was the daughter of the late John and Rosie (Crawford) Derek. She was married to Ray. F. Erdman, who died in 1969.
Mrs. Erdman attended West Cameron schools. She was a home-maker.
She was of Protestant faith and attended Tri-Valley Senior Citizens, Valley View.
She is survived by a son, Kenneth L. of Hegins RD1; a brother, Thomas W. Derek of Shamokin; and two grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, John Ray, in 1967; three brothers, Bobbie Derek, Merlin Derek and Ralph Derek; and two sisters at birth.
The funeral will be private. Burial will be in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington, at a later date.
Arrangements were made by the Jerre Wirt Blank Funeral Home, 844 Shamokin St., Trevorton.
The Daily Item (Sunbury, Pennsylvania), 10 Jul 1991, Wed, Page 15.³
She was buried at Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington, Northumberland County, PA.⁶

     Matilda C. Erdman is also referred to as Tillie Erdman in some sources.² She was born on 17 February 1927, Klingerstown, Schuylkill County, PA.^1,3,4 She was the daughter of William Walter Erdman and Mabel Minnie Wolfgang.¹ Matilda C. Erdman married Marlin L. Rockwell.^2,5 Matilda C. Erdman died on 1 February 2008, Pottsville Hospital, Pottsville, Schuylkill County, PA, at age 80.^6,3,4
Newspaper obituary:
Matilda "Tillie" Rockwell
February 1, 2008
Matilda "Tille" Rockwell, 80, of 340 Oakland Ave., Ashland, passed Friday afternoon at Pottsville Hospital.
Born in Klingerstown on Feb. 17, 1927, she was the daughter of the late William and Mabel Wolfgang.
She was a graduate of Hegins Township High School and employed as a trimmer and button maker for M.C. Fashions, Girardville, until her retirement.
She was a member of Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ, Ashland.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marlin Rockwell, in 1994; a grandson, Kevin Rockwell; six brothers, Leo, Guy, Clair, Jay, Eugene and Raymond; and a sister, Helen Reinoehl.
Surviving are three sons, Marlin Rockwell Jr., Treverton, R. Kevin Rockwell, Ashland, David Rockwell, Girardville; four daughters, Janel Powell, Yulle, Fla., Eda, wife of Gale Campbell, Treverton, Carol, wife of Stephen Wilson, Ashland, Loise, wife of Robert Horan, Ashland; a brother, Kenneth Erdman, Valley View; a sister, Lila Derek, Herndon; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday from Zion's Reformed Church of Christ, Ashland, with the Rev. Roger Snyder, pastor, officiating.
Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until time of service Tuesday.
Interment will be in Brock Cemetery Ashland.
Richard W. Fritz Funeral Home, Ashland is in charge.
Republican and Herald (Pottsville, Pennsylvania), 03 Feb 2008, Sun, Page A13.⁶
She was buried at Brock Cemetery, Ashland, Schuylkill County, PA.⁴

     John Ray Erdman was born on 30 May 1943.^2,3 He was the son of Ray Forest Erdman and Ethel Mae Derck.¹ John Ray Erdman married Karen Ann Madenford, daughter of George Madenford and Grace Lucas, on 25 June 1966, Valley View, Schuylkill County, PA.⁴ John Ray Erdman and Karen Ann Madenford were divorced in February 1967 Schuylkill County, PA.⁴ John Ray Erdman died on 7 October 1967, at age 24.^1,2
Newspaper obituary:
Hegins Man Killed By Dynamite Blast
John R. Erdman, 24, of Hegins, was instantly killed on Friday morning about 3:30 by a supposed dynamite explosion while sitting in his car. The accident occurred on the road between Keffers and Joliett, near the school house. Cause of the explosion has not been determined. Erdman was employed at mining by Erdman Brothers at Good [Spring].
Erdman was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Stewart J. Dreisigacker of Tower City.
Erdman was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray F. Erdman of Hegins. He was a member of the Valley View post, American Legion, and attended the Church of God.
Married to the former Karen Ann Madenford on June 25, 1966, he served a two year tour of duty in the US Army. Surviving are his widow of Joliett; his parents of Hegins; a brother, Kenneth Lee, at home; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mabel Erdman of Spring Glen.
The funeral was held Monday morning from the Wirt Funeral Home at Sunbury with services by the Rev. Lester Kerstetter of West Cameron. Burial was made in Northumberland Memorial Park at Stonington.
West Schuylkill Herald (Tower City, Pennsylvania), 11 Oct 1967, Wed, Page 1.⁵