WILBUR — Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Brandon Funeral Home in Fitchburg. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 11am at Brandon Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.
STERLING — Erma Mae (Chase) Wilbur, 83, of Sterling, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2015 surrounded by family at Leominster Hospital. She was born on June 21, 1932 in No. Weare, NH, the daughter of the late Fred Dow and Marion Alma (Silver) Chase.
Erma graduated from Weare High School, where she played on the basketball team. She loved attending dances at local grange halls. Erma grew up spending summers at her family’s cabin on Lake Horace in Weare. This tradition continues today with regular Chase Family Reunions at the lake.
Erma was married to David Weston Wilbur on June 5, 1951. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Erma spent most of her life as a homemaker raising her 8 children. She and her family lived many places across the United States before finally settling in Sterling in 1973. She then chose to begin her career later in life as a tax preparer for H&R Block.
Erma was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also loved swimming, gardening, quilting, knitting, traveling, and most of all spending time with her many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Family was Erma’s love and joy. In fact, she was passionate about researching the genealogy of the Chase and Wilbur families.
Erma is survived by her husband of 64 years, David W. Wilbur. Together they raised 8 children, including three sets of twins. She leaves three sons and five daughters: David R. Wilbur and his wife, Rita, of Somerville, TN; Kirt D. Wilbur and his wife, Carol, of Leominster; Bruce K. Wilbur and his wife, Frances, of Fitchburg; Karen S. (Wilbur) Vlahos and her husband, Tony, of Boxford; Kirsten K. (Wilbur) Holohan and her husband, Tom, of Baldwinville; Allison L. (Wilbur) Dembek and her husband, David, of Templeton; Hope R. (Wilbur) Lagoy and her husband, Greg, of Templeton; and Faith A. (Wilbur) Pulaski and her husband, David, of Gardner. Erma was a beloved grandmother to her 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and cherished relatives and friends.
Erma is preceded in death by her brother, Charles F. Chase, and her sister Mary D. Chase.
WILBUR — Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at Brandon Funeral Home in Fitchburg. The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 11am at Brandon Funeral Home. Burial will follow the funeral at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon.