Samuel Dee Ervin, Master Chief, USN (Ret), age 72, longtime Oak Harbor resident, died at Burton Care Center in Burlington on Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, following a lengthy illness.

Mr. Ervin was born in Redhouse, Ky., on Oct. 14, 1935, to Samuel Isaac Ervin and Hazel (Palmer) Ervin. He moved with his family to Hamilton, Ohio, as a small child, and attended schools there. Sam entered the US Navy, and served his country with distinction and honor during the Vietnam Conflict. He retired with the rank of Master Chief (E-9) at NAS Whidbey Island in 1977.

Sam married Anita Shipley on July 18, 1955, in Liberty, Ind. He was a member of the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene and the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and watching Mariners baseball.

Sam is survived by his wife Anita, at home in Burlington; four daughters, Dee Veatch and husband Bruce of Tehachapi, Calif., Holly Jolly and husband Robert of Everett, Kelly Lewis of Willoughby, Ohio, and Jamie Ervin of Sedro-Woolley; one son, Samuel Shipley Ervin and wife Magret of Uden, The Netherlands; thirteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three brothers, Charles Ervin and wife Dorothy of Hamilton, Ohio, Sandford “Tommy” Ervin and wife Jan of Franklin, Ohio, and John Ervin and wife Glynn of Fairfield, Ohio; sister, Sylvia Gleason and husband Lee of Hamilton, Ohio; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ann and Don Lewis of Seaford, Del.; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Billy Palmer and Ronald Eugene Ervin.

A service to honor the memory of Sam will be held Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at noon, at the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, 1100 W. Whidbey Ave., Pastor Ben Norris officiating, with Military Honors under the auspices of NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Interment will be private and at a later date. Memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale Ave., Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are under direction of Whidbey Memorial Funeral and Cremation Service, Inc., 746 NE Midway Blvd., Oak Harbor.