Charles Julian Erbes, 84, of Mendota died Aug. 22, 2011, in Rockford Memorial Hospital. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with the Rev. Dale Dykstra officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota. Visitation is 4-6 p.m. Friday in the funeral home. He was born Aug. 10, 1927, in Angier Hospital, Sublette, to Julian and Hortense (Johnson) Erbes. Babies born there were known as "Twilight Babies." He married Mary Anderson on May 15, 1955, in First Presbyterian Church, Mendota. He graduated from Mendota High School in 1945 and served with the U.S. Army. He owned Erbes Clothing Store in Mendota from 1950-1988. The store had been in the family for 85 years. Chuck was an avid sportsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing. It gave him great satisfaction that his wife and family shared in these experiences. He was particularly proud that he made 30 consecutive fishing trips to the Northwest Territories (Canada). He was a member of the American Legion, Ducks Unlimited, Northwest Turkey Federation, a 50 year member of Mendota Masonic Lodge 176, Bloomington Consistory, Royal Arch Masons, Commandery Knights Templar, Tebala Shrine in Rockford, and a 50-year member of Elks Lodge 1212. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Mendota; one son, David (Jennifer) Erbes of Des Moines, Iowa; one daughter, Julie (Andrew) Jedrzejczyk of Prospect Heights; and six grandchildren, Grant and Neil Erbes, and Kellie, Leeza, Heather and Katie Jedrzejczyk. He was preceded in death by one granddaughter. Memorials may be directed to Mendota Area Senior Services or First Presbyterian Church, Mendota.