MRS. ERMA STRASBURG CARDILLI

Erma Cardilli, daughter of Earl and Bessie Strasburg, was born October 20, 1917 on a ranch 20 miles from Roundup, Montana where her parents had recently moved from New Lenox, Illinois. Her father was a foreman in charge of all the Hereford cattle. Several years later they returned to Illinois where her brother, Roger, was born in 1919 and her sister, Neoma in 1929. Erma attended New Lenox Grade School, graduated in 1935 from Joliet Township High School, followed by several additional courses of study. She also graduated from the Dale Carnegie Course of Effective Speaking Human Relations, serving as director of following classes. Her interesting and successful career in the business world started in Chicago and took her from there to Baltimore, to Massachusetts, Atlanta and finally Orlando. Her experience and skills moved her quickly from secretarial positions to executive assistant in every company. In Orlando and Atlanta her responsibilities included being confidential executive secretary to Benjamin H. Oehlert, Jr., Sr. Vice President of Cocoa Cola/Minute Maid, who later became the US Ambassador to Pakistan. Her social activities included presidency of several Business and Professional Women's Club in Atlanta and Mamaroneck, New York, membership in the Orlando organizations and the Atlanta Women's Chamber of Commerce. Erma meanwhile had married Joseph Cardilli in 1968 and moved back to Florida and into the banking business with NCNB, later to become Trust Company of Florida and eventually of Bank of America. They lived in Altamonte Springs while Joe worked, until his passing, to expand and remodel the cottage on Bear Lake, part of her family's home property since 1950. Upon her retirement, she began another important 30 years or so of her life serving the Lord and others from that beautiful lake front home. She was active in her church, especially the prayer ministry of Northwest Community Church. There she is lovingly known as the "Mother of the Church." Survivors include her sister, Neoma DeGard Knox, (George N.) of Apopka, step daughter, Karen VanDyke (Maurice) of New York, sister-in-law, Betty Jo Strasburg (the late Col. Roger E.) of San Diego, many devoted nieces, nephews and friends. Her memorial service is to be held in Northwest Community Church, Saturday, April 12 at 10 AM at 5495 Clarcona Ocoee Road on the corner of Pine Hills Road, Orlando, Florida 32810. Loomis Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Interment will be in Highland Memory Gardens, Apopka, at a later date. Erma loves flowers, but more so she loves helping others so if you wish you may send a memorial in her honor to the Northwest Church Benevolence Fund, at the address above.