Erma Ehemann

Erma Mae Ehemann (nee Hicks), passed away peacefully at Lakeland Continuing Care Center on Monday, February 20, 2006. Erma was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on May 7, 1912, the daughter of the late Arnold and Jean (McLeod) Hicks. After moving to Chicago at the age of 7, her father, the artist, Arnold Lorne Hicks was commissioned to create the “Morton Salt Girl” logo and he used Erma as his model. Erma loved ballet, classical music, poetry, and gardening. She was particularly known for her roses. On August 27, 1931, she married John William Ehemann. He preceded her in death in 1967, as did her daughter Joan Stone in 1986, her sister Audre, and two brothers Clarence and Walter. She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Smyth, son-in-laws Gerry Smyth and Alan Stone, niece Audre Dechmann Mendal. She was also blessed with five grandchildren-Christie, Joshua, Jennifer, John, and Douglas; and seven great grandchildren. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Fr. Christian Johnston officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lake Forest, Illinois. Friends may call from 2:30-3:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lakeland Continuing Care Center-St. Joseph. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.