Mildred (Millie) Marion Mackovich Erhardt, 95, died on July 24, 2026. Born on Oct. 17, 1930 to parents John and Julia Mackovich in Chicago, she graduated from Farragut High School in 1949 and Roosevelt Teachers College with a degree in teaching in 1953. She married Richard Erhardt in 1951 and had three children Michael (1953), Robert (1955) and Susan (1959). The family moved to River Forest in 1963.
Even though she was a stay-at-home mom, she worked as a substitute teacher with River Forest school District 90 and was active member of the League of Woman Voters, taking on environmental and social issues. Later she formed a business with Louise Starkey conducting estate sales before selling the company and taking a job with Kelly Services.
After retirement, she worked with the village of River Forest to set up and implement their curbside recycling program, which is still in effect today. She became known as “Mrs. Recycler” for her endeavors. After living in her home for over 50 years she moved to Brookdale, Oak Park where she became an active member and at the 19th Century Club. She was involved with the Garden Club, the Environmental Group, and the Welcome to Brookdale Group. She encouraged the residents of Brookdale to compost and persuaded Brookdale to compost their dining room leftovers. In her last few years, she began collecting plastic film from the dining hall for recycling into park benches and spearheading an effort to write postcards encouraging people to vote.
Millie is survived by her brother, William Mackovich; her two sons, Michael Erhardt and Robert Erhardt (Linda); her daughter, Susan Erhardt; her three grandchildren, Charlotte (Kyle) Tipton, Gwen (Steve) Safriet, and Matthew Zabik; and four great-grandchildren, Kane, Zander, Lindy, and Helix.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beyond Hunger at gobeyondhunger.org. A celebration of life will be held in mid-September at Brookdale Oak Park, with the date still being determined.