This memorial site was created in the memory of our loved one, John Earl Ermatinger who was born December 21, 1973 in Martinsville, Virginia and passed away September 11, 2007 in Caswell County, North Carolina. He left his father, Mervin Ermatinger and mother Patricia Ermatinger. One brother Christopher Ermatinger and three sisters, Misty Ermatinger, Amber Ermatinger and Stormy Ermatinger. He also left a nephew Andrew Payne and a niece Skylar Ermatinger. We will miss him forever.

The music you're listening to is "John's Song"
written and performed by Mark Gentry.
Thank You Mark. It's beautiful.

Go ahead and mention my child
The one that died, you know.
Don't worry about hurting me further.
The depth of my pain doesn't show. 

Don't worry about making me cry.
I'm already crying inside.
Help me to heal by releasing the tears
That I try to hide.

I'm hurting when you just keep silent.
Pretending he didn't exist.
I'd rather you mention my child
Knowing that he's been missed.

You asked me how I was doing
I say "pretty good" or "fine."
But healing is something ongoing
I feel it will take a lifetime.

Still With Us

Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not there I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am a diamond glint on snow
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain
When you wake in the morning hush 
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft starshine at night
Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there I did not die

What My Child Has Taught Me

I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that learning to forgive takes a lot of practice.
I've learned that friends may become strangers,
And strangers become friends.
I've learned that ignorance isn't an excuse for lack of compassion.
I've learned that some people will never,ever-"get it".
I've learned that the community of sorrow is the strongest of all.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of minutes.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you ever see them.
I've learned that love isn't measured by the amount of time
you have with someone.
I've learned that sorrow is so deep it has no words.
But so is love.

If Tomorrow Starts Without Me

If tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
the way you did today, while
thinking of the many things 
we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you.
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.
But if tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an angel came and called my name 
and took me by the hand.

He said my place was ready,
in heaven far above.
And that I'd have to leave behind
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye.
For all my life I'd always thought
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much left yet to do.
It seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday,
just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.
but then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for the emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you and when I did,
My heart filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from his great golden throne,

He said,:This is eternity and 
all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last.
And since each day's the same way
there's no longing for the past. 

You have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true,
Though there were times
you did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
and share my life with me?
So if tomorrow starts without me,
don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here in your heart.


  
























Happy Halloween Uncle John !!
from 
Skylar and Andy




I've been remembering how you almost scared your brother Chris half to death one Halloween. You must have been about 13 and he was around 10. You sneaked up on him dressed in a black cape and a scary mask while he was doing his homework. He caught sight of this horribly disfigured face looking at him in the mirror and almost  had a heart attack. You of course thought it was the most hilarious thing. I miss those days when you and your brother and sisters were small. Things seemed so simple then. I didn't realize it at the time, but those were the happiest days of my life. I didn't realize that my time with you was being measured and would soon run out. I miss you John. Some days are so hard to get through and I have a feeling that today is one of them.

Where do they come from, these tears? They just keep rolling down my face. No matter what I'm doing or where I am. I can be at work or in a grocery store. I can be by myself or with others and suddenly I discover my face is wet with tears. I miss you John. I'm always expecting you to walk through the door. I'm always expecting to hear your voice. I'm always expecting to hear you slam the door the way you always did. I'm always asking why, why, why, why, why...........?