Erma Jean (May) Mulholland, 88, passed away March 1, 2025 at Memorial Hospital in Shiloh, Illinois. The family wishes to extend their sincerest gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff for being so compassionate and caring towards Erma and her family in their time of need. She was able to draw in her loving family from near and far for their final wishes of true love for their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Erma was born was on May 10, 1936 in Woodsbend, Kentucky to parents Alonzo and Nora (Leach) May. She grew up on a tobacco farm in West Liberty, KY. She would often share stories about how her and her siblings would work the tobacco fields then climb the barn rafters to hang the tobacco to dry.

Erma married Arlen Alden Mulholland February 29, 1952 in Yuma, Arizona. Arlen sadly passed away in 2013, but together they raised a beautiful family consisting of children Linda (Michael) Baldwin of Smithton, IL, Brenda (Paul) Ledbetter of The Villages, FL, Donna (Chris) Dahler of Litchfield, IL, Michael (Vivian) Mulholland of Troy, IL, and Kevin (Donna) Mulholland of Freeburg, IL.

Erma was a proud co-owner of Erma's Country Kitchen in Smithton along with her oldest daughter, Linda, from June of 1989 to 2001, at which time Erma retired and the business was sold. She was a fantastic quilter. She also loved to knit and crochet - leaving behind her creations for future generations to cherish.

Erma loved the outdoors; making sure to keep her lawn in Belleville looking like a park. Many family photos were taken on site because of the lush green grass and beautiful flowers and trees. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren have many fond memories of grandma and grandpa's house- playing in the creek, overnight visits, bonfires and so many other memories. She and Arlen even had a garden they always kept up, until his passing.

Another passion of Erma's was her beloved pets. Over the years she has always had a dog or cats. She and Arlen even tried their hands at raising chickens, as they both grew up on farms.

Erma loved to travel with her family, taking many trips to warmer temperatures. Her sister-in-laws and her were known for their memorable "adventures" they would take out west.

She is preceded in death by Arlen, her brothers Earl and Lonnie May, her sisters Virginia (Virgie) Putterbaugh and Edna (Gay) Aveyard, and grandchild Mychael James Crawford.

Surviving are all of her cherished children and their significant others/spouses as well as her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Deborah (Eric) Benedick, Abigail Benedick, Daniel Benedick, William Benedick, Deanna (Andrew Towns) Baldwin, Tyler Baldwin, Austin Zipfel Baldwin, Jessica Bond, Breanna Franklin, Jasmine Franklin, Gabriella Green, Christopher (Ally Counterman) Bond, Jennifer (Aaron) Key, Kadin Staub, Kylee Acord, Lance Schaefer, Lenny Schaefer, Kyle Mulholland, Sean Mulholland, Kelly (Kevin) Lane, Colleen Lousignont, Colin Lousignont. Also surviving is Erma's dear sister-in-law, Ada Tempelman of Imperial, MO.

She was the family matriarch and the hub of family information. She will be dearly missed by the entire family but knowing she has been called home to reside with Jesus is a peaceful blessing for all. Erma's wishes were for no ceremony in her passing, but a small celebration of life will be held on May 9th at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, where her ashes will be placed with Arlen's, who proudly served in the Korean War.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society

The family is being served by HERR Funeral Home, 501 West Main Street, Collinsville, Illinois  62234.