Ervin Bostick Hortman was born July 22, 1930 to Mattie (Bostick) and John Hortman in Marshall TX. After graduating from Marshall High School, Ervin enlisted into the United States Army and fought in the Korean War, in which he was in Special Operations and received a National Defense Service Medal and an Army Occupational Medal (Germany).

In 1960, Ervin married the love of his life, Mary Craver. They spent the next 53 years raising their daughter and grandchildren, farming, gardening, and spending time with other family members.

Ervin retired from Riley Beard in Shreveport after 35 years of loyal service. While employed there he attended LSU and the Dale Carnegie course (How To Win Friends & Influence People).

Ervin was an avid outdoorsman. He loved fishing and hunting; he knew all the tricks to bag the big one and was known to some others as "Superman".

Mr. Hortman passed away on March 24, 2017 in Longview, Texas after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Funeral services for Mr. Hortman will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 29, 2017 in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home with Bro. Craig Evers officiating. Interment will follow in Piney Cemetery in Harleton, Texas.  There will be a visitation from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 28th at the Downs Funeral Home in Marshall.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Hortman, Michael Lewis II, Johnny Oney, Jamie Thomas, Chris Simpson, Shane Croft. Honorary pallbearer will be Cayden Hortman.

Preceding Ervin in death was his wife, Mary Hortman; his parents, Mattie Bostick and John Hortman, three brothers and four sisters, and step-son, David Croft.

Ervin is survived by his daughter, Lajuana Hortman Lewis of Harleton; grandchildren, Joshua (Jackie) Hortman of Harleton, Michael (Bailee) Lewis II, and Madisson Lewis, both of Marshall, Shane Croft of Harleton, Doug Croft of Dallas. Also surviving Mr. Hortman are five great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins and many others who knew and loved him.

A special thanks to Kaci Ferguson for the care and kindness she showed Ervin in the last couple of months he spent at home.