Alvin (Sonny) was born on August 6, 1929 to Albert Martin Erdman and Ida (Sauer) Erdman, on his grandfather Johann Sauer, Jr.’s farm northwest of Lind and was delivered by his step-mother Linda Dorothea, a midwife. Sonny joined two sisters Dorothy Marie, and Lillian May.
The family lived in the Lind, WA area, 5 more children arrived – Irene Mabel, Pauline Elizabeth, Caroline Ann, Robert Richard, and Walter Martin. The children attended the Lind schools.
The family moved and lived in the Chewelah and Addy areas. Sonny loved school, but with a large family, he quit school to work with his Dad to help support the family. They family moved to Spokane, WA – Hillyard area and lived in the Copeland Apartments. Sonny worked with his Mom and Dad at Brewer Pine Box. The final sibling was born – Linda Darlene in Spokane, WA in 1945.
The family then moved to Cunningham and later on to Hatton, WA. Sonny and his Dad worked for area farmers while the younger children attended the Lind schools.
Sonny decided to move to Ritzville and worked for Morlan Tire Company until he was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Fort Ord, California. He drove amphibious tanks, and was a mechanic during his time in the service.
He returned to Hatton after serving in the Army and started working for farmers in the area. Sony then moved to Spokane to work again for the Morlan Tire Company. While working there he met Hazel Boyce, bookkeeper for the company. They were married in June 2, 1957.
Sonny started working for Thrifty Auto Upholstry and Used Cars Business for the Boyce family. He loved working on cars and antique cars so he purchased a 1929 Cadillac. He enjoyed restoring his car, searching for parts, and doing the upholstery work. He retired at 72 when Thrifty Auto Upholstry closed. He continued to do upholstery work for family and friends.
He enjoyed hunting with his cousins and fishing with the Boyce family and spending time at their family Coeur D’Alene lake home. Sonny also loved music, and enjoyed playing his guitars. Growing up around music, his father played many musical instruments and taught his children to play music by ear.
After Hazel died in 2006, he started playing music with his friends and they would practice weekly. They played during holidays in several locations, nursing homes, retirement homes and veteran’s nursing home. He attended Intersection Church, and enjoyed meeting with his church family during the week and weekends. He loved going to coffee every morning meeting his cousin Richard and brother-in-law Harley.
In Janusry he contracted COVID, was in the hospital and then rehab until he was released in March. He moved into Good Samaritan Independent Living and enjoyed living there. Since January he was in and out of the hospital until he passed away.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert & Ida (Sauer) Erdman, his wife Hazel (Boyce) Erdman in 2006, and his brother Robert Erdman, and his sisters – Caroline Sharp, Dorothy Look, and Lillian LeRoy.
He is survived by his siblings, Irene Brownfield of Otis Orchard, WA, Pauline (Dick) Stolp of Lolo, MT, Walt (Bettie) Erdman of Othello, WA and Linda (Harley) Stewart of Spokane Valley, WA and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his church family.
A Visitation will be at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA May 10, 2021 at 10:00 am – Noon. The Funeral Service will be on May 10, 2021 at 1:00 pm at the Intersection Church, 905 N. McDonald Rd., Spokane Valley, WA and the Graveside will follow at Pines Cemetery with Military Honors.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5