Ervin was born the son of Ervin Sr. and Carrie (Rude) Orvis on September 7, 1942 in Fordville, ND. He was baptized and confirmed in the Dahlen Lutheran Church and grew up and attended school in Dahlen. On January 26, 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He received training at Fort Bliss, TX. He was married to Josie Silva in 1965.

Through out his 20 year career, he was stationed all over the world including 6 years in Germany, 18 months in Korea, 18 months in Vietnam, and several places within the United States. During his career, he received the following acknowledgments: Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device in 1960, the Bronze Star on 8-4-1962, the Army Commendation Medal from 10-8-1962 to 3-15-1974, Good Conduct Medal (5 th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, and qualified as sharpshooter for carbine and marksman for carbine, rifle, and automatic rifle.

Ervin retired from the Army March 1, 1981 with 20 years of service. Following his retirement, he was employed in Kennewick, WA and in CA for a short time before he and Josie moved to Albuquerque, NM. There he was employed by Honeywell under government contract as a computer specialist technician for the span of 15 years. From there, he moved to Woodbridge, IL where he was employed by the Bradford Exchange Company at Elgin, IL for 5 years. In the spring of 2003, he moved back to ND, settling in Fargo to be near his mother and sister. He remained there until his death.

Ervin was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father in 1944, his sister Karlene (Hauge) Holen, and his nephew Steven Holen, as well as many aunts and uncles.

He is survived by his mother Carrie Hauge of Fargo, ND, his three grandchildren, Kenneth Kephart Jr. of Phoenix, AZ, Jonathan Kephart of Phoenix, AZ, Joni (Kephart) & her husband Zach James of Burlington, IA and their father Kenneth Kephart Sr. of Omaha, NE, as well as his niece, Kerri Holen of Northglenn, CO. He will be missed.

Ervin's Funeral Service will be held at the Dahlen Lutheran Church of Dahlen, ND, on Saturday, July 14, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Gary Knabe. Music will be provided by Leon and Avis Fjestad. Interment will be in the Zion Cemetery, rural Dahlen. Casketbearers will be Tony Stanley, Mike Kremer, Denis Zima, Duane Lund, Mark Teiken, Lyle Offerdahl, and Roger Nymark. Honorary bearers will include all of Ervin's cousins and special friends in Fargo - Rayme, Linda, Lori, Doreen, and Jane. Visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Arrangements with the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND.