Wesley "Wes" Erskine

Wesley “Wes” Erskine, 90, peacefully passed away from natural causes on November 11, 2021 at Milwaukee VA Medical Center. He was born August 22, 1931 in Hemlock, Michigan to Nina (Kent) and Lloyd Erskine. Facing a big challenge as a young boy, from age nine through high school, Wes struggled his way through Polio. He was active in FFA and was proud of his farm and family upbringing. By way of scholarship, he attended Michigan State University for one year. His duty to country then called him to enlist in the Navy just prior to the Korean War. He spent the majority of his service at Naval Air Station Anacostia in Washington, D.C. as an air traffic controller. The last few months of his service he was transferred to Point Mugu Naval Air Station in California where he assisted in flying the 1st Marine Division back from Korea. After his military service Wes went back to Michigan State University as a sophomore studying Veterinary Medicine then switching to Ag Education. As a way to earn money while attending college, he worked in residential construction. At the end of his senior year, he took an opportunity to work for Wick’s Lumber and quickly found that the lumber and construction business would be his chosen path. He left Wick’s Lumber after building and managing many locations, including the Elkhorn store, to join up with the Wolohan brothers of Michigan. He helped start Wolohan Lumber where he was instrumental overseeing the construction of many stores east of the Mississippi. Some years later, Wes realized his dream of owning his own lumber operation when he left Wolohan’s Lumber and purchased Elkhorn Lumber Co. That transitioned into Erskine Construction where he had much success in Elkhorn and the surrounding area. Wes spent his career paying it forward to those in the trades. With his easy manner, many tradesmen came to him for advice and direction to start their own businesses. He encouraged them in any way he could. Many of these treasured business relationships continued on after his retirement. His greatest pride and joy were his family: his children, Rebecca (Rev. Robert) Peiffer, Steven (Kathy) Erskine, Jonathan (Tami) Erskine, Sarah Erskine; stepchildren, Melissa (David) Krueger, Eric (Leslie) Gostomski; grandchildren, Jennifer (Will) Morton, Jillian (Aaron) Meredith, Brittaney (Peter) Gonzalez, Benjamin (Rebekah) Peiffer, Daniel Erskine, Jeremy (Kristy) Erskine, Paul (Chelsea Grover) Erskine, Bryan (Catrina) Erskine, Josh (Noelle) Erskine, Marcus Erskine, Abigail Krueger, Sean Gostomski and Megan Gostomski; and many great grandchildren. Wes is survived by his wife, Mary Erskine, sister Dolores Aelick, brother Harold (Marlyn) Erskine, sister-in-law Mary Jane Erskine, brothers-in-law Bernard (Judy) Liebe and Carl (Barb) Liebe, and many loving nieces, nephews and families. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roland and Duane Erskine; son, Steven Erskine; daughters-in-law Kathy and Tami, and grandson, Daniel. The family thanks the doctors, nurses, and medical staff at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center for their care and compassion. Per the request of Wes he wanted no formal funeral services.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Monte Carlo Room 720 N. Wisconsin Street Elkhorn.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Wes’s honor to the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, Palliative Care Unit.  On-line guestbook is at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.  Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Homes and Crematory of Elkhorn is assisting the family.