Christopher Steven Erbeck

Service for Christopher Steven Erbeck will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 23, 2017, at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Friday, December 22, from 1-8 pm, with family receiving visitors from 6-8 pm. Chris passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. He was 69.

Born June 17, 1948 in Brockton, Massachusetts to Phillip Andrew and Clare (Wilbur) Erbeck, Chris received his education at West Bridgewater, graduating with the class of 1966. His first job was working with his father delivering milk. With encouragement from his brother-in-law Fred, he entered East Coast Aeronautical School in Massachusetts, earning his Associates in Aviation. This started a career as a mechanic in the airline industry with Eastern Airlines that lasted over 24 years. After that he moved his family to Oklahoma, and continued his career for American Airlines for another 24 years, retiring in 2013.
Chris married Roberta “Robbie” Cole on January 10, 1987, and together the couple raised their family in Oklahoma. His hobbies included sailing and traveling. He loved his sail boat, “Friendship 2”, and spent many hours on Grand Lake sailing her. Traveling took them to many places over the years. Some of his favorites included Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Niagara Falls, Cape Cod and Rockport. Chris was just happy to spend time with his family, especially his grandchildren, whom he was very proud of. He didn’t miss many of their important events, and traveled many miles to be with them during their life’s milestones. He also enjoyed a good game of tennis, and he walked as often as he could.
If personality was any indicator of a likable guy, Chris was that guy. He had a great sense of humor, and was always ready for a good time. He had a wonderful smile and could joke with the best of them, often in his “Donald Duck” voice. You also heard quite often from him the words, “right back at you”.
A loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Chris will be missed by all who knew him. Those family members that survive include his wife Robbie of their home; his children Robert Nevulis and wife Gail of Orlando, Florida, Jennifer Shattuck of Lewisburg, Tennessee, Stephanie Epperson and husband Brian of Washington, Joanie Franklin and husband Kyle of Nowata, and Julie (Erbeck) Hopkins and husband Matthew of Chapell Hill, Tennessee; his grandchildren Niesha Thompson and husband James, Julia Greeley and husband Andy, Dakota Quillen, Dallas Quillen, Kimberly Epperson, Collin Epperson, Kennedy Epperson, Kole Franklin, Kory Franklin, Jonathan Hopkins, and Samuel Hopkins; great-grandchildren Kyleia Thompson, Dane Quillen, Grant Street, and Mason Zak; brother David Erbeck, brothers-in-law Fred Booth and Charlie Altwein, brother and sister-in-law Carl and Frankie Winch, and many nieces and nephews.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Joyce Booth, Janis Altwein, Patricia Jordan, and Beverly Murray, and his brother Richard Erbeck.

View and sign Chris’ online tribute at www.mmsfuneralhomes.com