Click here to view the Video Tribute for Elwood Elwood Emery Erdman, age 97, of 201 Gap Street, Valley View, passed away Friday, October 23, 2009 at his home. He was born on Tuesday, March 5, 1912 in Rough and Ready, a son of the late John J Erdman and the late Elura G (Starr) Erdman. He was a 1932 graduate of the former Hegins Twp High School. He served in the US Army in Panama. He was a self employed coal miner and had also worked for Legal Coal Co, and Kocher Coal. He retired from the former Newport Homes, Pine Grove . He was a member of St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View. He was a former member of the Tri-Valley Senior Citizens, the Valley View Fire Company, and the Hegins Area Ambulance Assoc. He was preceded in death by three brothers Stanley, Rahn, and Barto Erdman; by a sister Velma Klinger; and by a daughter in law Patricia Erdman. He is survived by his wife, Irene M Erdman, to whom he was married for 70 years. He is also survived by two sons, Elwood E Erdman and his wife, Sharon of Hegins and Colin E Erdman of Spring Glen; two daughters, Alice M Deitrich and her husband, Clifford of Meriden, Conn. and Susan P Runkle and her husband, Robert of Spring Glen; ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren; a sister Ella Artz of Valley View; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held at St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Valley View, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Philip Sabas officiating. Burial was made in St. Andrew's Cemetery, Valley View. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 221, Valley View PA 17983 or to Pinnacle Health Hospice, One Norwegian Plaza, Pottsville PA 17901. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com .