Michael H. Erlwein, a retired Jeffersonville dairy farmer, died on January 2, 2021. He was 86.

Son of the late Bernard and Anna Kutger Erlwein, Mike married his high-school sweetheart, Adele Brown Erlwein, in June of 1956. Their nearly 65 years together were a wonderful example of what a loving marriage looks like, a model their children and grandchildren strive to follow. Together, Mike and Adele ran their dairy farm for decades, instilling a great work ethic in their four children, at one time milking over 100 cows.

Mike was a member of the Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Department for 70 years, serving 5 years as chief. An avid sports enthusiast and athlete, Mike excelled at a variety of sports from his high school days where he was on the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams, setting school records and being awarded Athlete of the Year in 1953. He was a past member of several community and firemen softball teams. Mike was also a high-scoring member of a bowling team sponsored by Dick's Auto Sales for many years with an especially close group of friends, where he earned numerous trophies.

Watching his children and grandchildren compete in sports was a highlight in his life, and he treasured time spent with family. Favorite pastimes included hunting and fishing, both locally and with friends on Sandy Pond. Upon his retirement, Mike and Adele purchased a camper trailer and enjoyed summer trips to the Thousand Islands Region and wintering in Florida. Mike was honored in 2005 as Town of Callicoon Grand Marshal in the Fremont Center Memorial Day Parade and in 2017 in Jeffersonville's Tractor Parade, proudly driving a tractor with a wagonful of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Youngsville United Reformed Church.

In addition to his wife, Mike is survived by his daughter Julie Yewchuk and his three sons and daughters-in-law, David (Amy) Erlwein, Scott (Kelly) Erlwein, and Peter (Dawn) Erlwein, his ten grandchildren, Kristin (Scott) Scardino, Brian Erlwein, Kevin (Calley) Erlwein, Mike (Katie) Erlwein, Jim (Jessica) Erlwein, Austin (Maegan) Erlwein, Rianne Erlwein, Sawyer (Kelsey) Erlwein, Kimberly (James) Cormier, and John Yewchuk. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Aiden and Carly Scardino, Matthew and Scott Erlwein, Owen and Andi Erlwein, Wesley Erlwein, and Evanne Lee Erlwein. In addition, he is survived by a brother Joseph (Marjory) Erlwein of Callicoon Center, a sister-in-law Shirley vonBergen and her husband Richard of Byron, NY, a sister-in-law Marguerite Brown and stepmother-in-law Florence Brown, both of Jeffersonville. Also, Mike is survived by his close friends Walter Mall and Mary Ryan, and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father and mother-in-law Jesse and Margaret Brown, his brother and sister-in-law Francis and Dorothy Erlwein, and his brother-in-law Robert Brown.

Services will be private for immediate family, and interment will be in the Jeffersonville Presbyterian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Callicoon Center Volunteer Fire Department, 1669 Gulf Road, Callicoon Center, NY 12724.