RONALD “BULL” LAWRENCE ERWIN Johnston City–Ronald “Bull” Lawrence Erwin of Johnston City, 73 passed away on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 8:30 P.M. at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. Ronald was born June 14, 1941 in Herrin the son of Lawrence and Mary (Lam) Erwin. He married Barbara Ann Gurley on December 12, 1964 in Johnston City. Together they shared 3 years of engagement and 45 years of marriage. She preceded him in death on April 29, 2010. Ronald graduated from Johnston City High School in 1959 and Southern Illinois University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and Industrial Arts. He also attended West Virginia University for courses in coal preparation. He was employed by Bell and Zoller Coal Company as Chief Mechanical Engineer of Preparation and later by Old Ben Coal Company, a subsidiary of Houston Natural Gas as a manager of quality control at the Zeigler Coal Company Central office. He retired from the management division of coal mines in 1997 after thirty one years of service. He then preformed occasional consulting jobs for different coal related companies. Ron was a member of the Knights of Pythias Monitor Lodge #236, where he was a past Chancellor Commander and Secretary for fifteen years. He was also a past member of the Dramatic Order of the Knights of Khorassan. He was a member of the Illinois Mining Institute, the Coal Preparation Society of Illinois, and served on advisory committee for the Cooperative Vocational Education Department of Johnston City Unity #1. In 1989 he was elected to the “Who’s Who of American Executives”. Ron was a member of the Southern Illinois University Alumni Association and the Buccaneer’s Club of Johnston City. Ronnie is survived by a daughter, Chandra Jennings and husband Tim; grandchildren, Dakota and Savannah all of Johnston City; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gerald “Frenchie” Erwin and wife Brenda of Johnston City, and James Erwin and wife Debbie of Flower Mound, TX; nephews, Carl Sandstrom of Johnston City, Quint Erwin of Flower Mound, TX, Ryan Erwin of League City, TX; nieces, Andrea Erwin of Arlington, TX, Michelle Erwin of Anna, and Christi Jones and husband Justin of Fairview Heights; aunts, Betty Stroud of Gainsville, FL, and Helen Harris of Johnston City; several cousins; and special companion, Sherry E. Mix of West City. Ron loved mowing his big yard and being on his computer. His favorite time was spent with his grandchildren and attending their activities. They were his pride and joy. Memorials may be made to the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital or to Knights of Pythias. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday January 15, 2015, at the Murman & Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City with Pastor Larry Stevens officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Johnston City. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home with Knights of Pythias Rites conducted at 7:00 P.M.