Joseph Ermel - Funeral & Memorial Scholarship

Our organization, EAA Chapter 15 is starting this fundraiser to help with the expenses involved with the services and burial of a fine young man, and fellow chapter member, who was the son of a single mother of 3. Our goal is $10,000.

 

On October 27th 2021, a bright star was dimmed with the lose of a great young man with an amazing future ahead of him, Joseph Ermel. Joe was involved in a motor vehicle accident and succumbed to his injuries. Words can not express the loss everyone is feeling. He surrounded himself with a great group of friends and mentors.

 

Who was Joe? He soloed and airplane on his 16th birthday, obtained his pilot's license immediately after his 17th and was on his way to a long aviation career while attending Southern Illinois University. He achieved Academic Honors his Freshman year, and as a Sophomore, he made the schools flight team. This young man knew no bounds. His training started in his grandfather's Aeronca Champ and then continued in a Piper Cherokee and ended with obtaining his license in a Cessna 150. He talked to everyone, no matter their age. He could carry on a conversation with an 8 yr old, then turn and talk with a 92 yr old.

 

He was heavily involved with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) locally and nationally. He founded the Wright Fliers youth aviation group while a member with EAA Chapter 461. He was the 'poster child' of the Ray Aviation Foundation (Pictured) after receiving a scholarship through EAA Chapter 15 to finish his flight training in 2019. Each year, he volunteered at the EAA's AirVenture in Oshkosh, along with his mother Aymee Zimmerman. He was a fixture there for many years as he started attending as a young child with his grandfather Arnie Zimmerman. His life was forming around helping others. Our Chapter has lost a gem.

 

In addition to the expenses for the funeral, any other funds raised beyond the $10,000 will be earmarked for a scholarship to send a youth to the EAA's Air Academy. It's a series of weeklong camps designed to introduce young people ages 12-18 to the aviation world. Joe was a participant in years past and we would like to honor him with a scholarship in his name.