Dr. Bennie Erwin

Bennie Grove Erwin, age 95, of Paola, Kansas, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021, in Paola, Kansas. He was born September 3, 1926, in Hayden, Routt County, Colorado to Howard and Ethel L. (Grove) Erwin. Bennie grew up in Hayden, Colorado on the family ranch. He is a graduate of Hayden High School in Colorado, Class of 1944. He married Virginia LaRue Skinner in 1951 in Hayden, Colorado. They had three children, Kevin, Terrie and Carolyn. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 1, 2021 followed by the Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, Paola. Military honors will conclude the service. Bennie is a Veteran of World War II having served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier, from 1944 until 1946. During this time the Intrepid served in the Pacific theater. Bennie graduated in 1956 from Colorado State University with a Degree in Veterinary Medicine. He owned a veterinary practice in Saratoga, Wyoming for 10 years and was loved by all the local ranchers. He taught Veterinary Medicine at the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois for six years and was Teacher of the Year in 1971. He then moved his family to Shawnee, Kansas and worked at JenSal Lavatories in Merriam, Kansas as Director of Clinical Research until his retirement at which time he and his wife moved permanently to their farm in Paola, Kansas. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, spending weekends at their farm in Paola before retirement, fly fishing in Colorado and Wyoming and taking care of his cattle on the farm in Paola, Kansas and helping friends and neighbors with their livestock. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (Skinner) Erwin, his parents, Howard and Ethel Erwin and his sister, Charlene. Bennie is survived by his son, Kevin (Donna) Erwin and daughters, Terrie Erwin and Carolyn (Tom) Nicks all of Shawnee Mission, Kansas and five grandchildren, Jessica, Andrew, Daniel, Ben (Jessie), and Raymond, great granddaughter, Cora, and sister Marna Burke, along with many nieces and nephews. Memorials to Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, Paola, KS. Family and friends are encouraged to post their memories and condolences on Bennie's tribute wall.