Erma Travis

She was born April 28, 1921 in Mansfield, Ohio to Alva Longshore and Grace Etzwiler Longshore. She was a 1940 graduate of Madison High School. She was formerly employed at East Mansfield School in the cafeteria, and also at Commercial Motor Freight.

While sharing her husband’s interest in the Robert P. Spreng Post 26 AMVETS, Erma joined the organization’s women’s auxiliary, and she held almost all of its local offices, and served as State president at the same time that her husband Harry held the office for the men’s group. It was the first time in Ohio AMVET history that a husband and wife held both presidencies simultaneously. She was a life member of AMVETS Post 26 Ladies Auxiliary, AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Member of the Year, AMVETS National Americanism officer for the National AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary, and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Past Local and State President. She was a past Girl Scout Leader for many years.

She was also a member of East Hills Presbyterian Church of Mansfield, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution of 1812, and a member of the Genealogical Society of America. Erma will be remembered by all for her patriotism, marching in many Mansfield Veterans Day parades proudly carrying the American flag; volunteering and donating American flags to local schools and other organizations; and crocheting American Braille flags for the blind.

On September 21, 1940, she married Harry F. Travis, Sr., who died December 23, 1993. Also preceding her in death were her parents; one grandson, Richard “Rick” A. Walton; and three sisters, Helen Myers, Norma McGee and Vivian Schaefer.

Surviving are two sons, Harry “Butch” (Marjorie) Travis, Jr. of Mansfield and Timothy (Maureen) Travis of Grove City; two daughters, Patricia Walton of Mansfield and Sally (David) Seiler of Kettering, OH; ten grandchildren, Randy, Shelli, Steven “Ted”, Chad, Ryan, Garret, Travis, Andrea, Zachary and Megan; nine great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; one brother, Lewis Vanorman of Texas; two brothers-in-law, Bob Gardner of Bucyrus and John McGee of Florida; two sisters, Rita James of Michigan and Lucille Hannan of Arizona; one sister-in-law, Lois Travis of Columbus; her very special friend, Beverly Box; and special niece, Rose Helen Myers.

The family wishes to give special thanks to all the wonderful staff at Brethren Care Village for their help and support.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond Street, Mansfield. Friends may call prior to the service, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to AMVETS Post 26 Ladies Auxiliary.