Obituary of Charles Otto Erb

Charles Otto Erb, 87 of Toms River, NJ, passed peacefully at Ocean Medical Center, Brick, NJ on Wednesday April 7, 2021. Born in North Bergen NJ on April 30, 1933 to Hermine Haff Sievers and Karl August Erb. Charles graduated from the State University of New York, Farmingdale, NY, with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture. During the Korean War Charles served honorably in the US Army 10th Mountain Division in Carson City, Colorado. He qualified as a expert mountain climber, repeller and was on the elite ski patrol for the Army. Charles married his soulmate Margaret Jean Lewis on February 23,1957 in Toms River, NJ. His passion for Horticulture created the family owned business Erb & Sons Inc. Wholesale Growers of Tropical Foliage Plants located in Howell, NJ, Narcoossee, FL and Naples, FL, that operated for over 50 years. Charles was a devoted husband and father who had an incredible work ethic He was a life long member of the Lakewood Elks Club in NJ. Charles is survived by his loving daughter Gail Erb Bradshaw Keyser (Robert T. Keyser) of Crofton, MD; Daughter-in-law Teresa Lynn Johnson Erb of New Egypt, NJ; Three grandchildren: Jessica Erb Sibert of New Egypt, NJ ; Charles Bernard Erb of New Egypt, NJ ; Elizabeth Erb Elsey (Ronald Elsey) of Jackson, NJ; Six great-grand children: Carolynn Sibert; Lillian Sibert; Julianna Sibert ; Khloe Erb; Brody Erb; and Kole Erb, all of New Egypt, NJ; Two step-grandchildren: Kyle Elsey and Christian Elsey, both of Jackson, NJ; Sister Marie Erb Boosz Weins (Robert Weins) of Pennsburg, PA; brother-in-law C. Edward Roberts of Narcoossee, FL; Sister-in-law Joan Worth Erb of Naples, Fl; and brother-in-law Robert D. Lewis of Whiting, NJ. Charles also had many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends throughout the United States, Germany and Canada. Charles devoted the last ten years of his life as the sole in-home care provider of his loving wife Margaret Jean Lewis Erb of 64 years, who passed on March 19, 2021. His son Charles Arthur Erb of New Egypt, NJ passed on March 22, 2021. Charles passed within 19 days after the passing of his wife Margaret and son Charlie. Also he is predeceased by his brother Ludwig August Erb of Naples, FL; sister Anna Erb Roberts of Narcoossee, FL; sister-in-law Miriam Joan Lewis Laukshtein of Ft. Myers, FL; brother-in-law Walter Laukshtein of Ft. Myers, FL; brother-in-law Arthur Thomas Lewis of Middlebury, VT; and sister-in-law Anne Hinkle Lewis of Middlebury, VT. The funeral will be private at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ at a later date.