Ernest E. Ernst

Ernest E. Ernst 83 of Peru. Passed away unexpectedly December 30, 2023 in Manor Court of Peru.

Private Graveside services will be at Peru City Cemetery. Per his request Cremation rites have been accorded. Ptak Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ernie was the last sibling from his Ernst family generation from Ottawa IL. His parents were Joseph J. and Mollie (Jarmosck) Ernst Sr. He married Mariantonia (Marie Alonso/Lannen) in 1965. He retired from the Belrose-Unimin Silica Sand plant (now Covia) in Utica in 2005.

He and Brother Joe grew up at the family auto-salvage business there in Ottawa, which Joe eventually took over. He worked at the yard, then eventually various factories such as Spiller&Spiller (where he would meet his future wife), Concos, Motor Wheel, and then settled in at the Sand Plant. No degrees, accolades or major awards, but what he would eventually undertake would prove to be two major accomplishments. He went from Zero to Five Very-active Step-Children overnight, after marrying (a “struggling”) Marie. He could be a bit “rough around the edges”, but one could question if they wouldn’t be, if dropped in that scenario. Strong work ethic and good provider is who he was. He got everyone raised-up, with the several challenges that go along with it. His next accomplishment would be later in life after Marie passed away in 2012.  He had never had a grasp on the financial aspects of home ownership (bills, etc.) because “Ma” always had those under top-notch control.  But he would step up for over 10 years after she passed, keeping the ship afloat and running a very tight household.  When visiting, even with the void, it was business as usual, still “home”.   He took Life, financial obligations, and keeping it a homestead very seriously.

His hobbies were, his guitar (music was a big deal to both him and Brother Joe), figuring out and building various contraptions, hunting, and fishing (most particularly in Canada where he knew “Reed Lake” like the back of his hand). Canada was his big thing in life. He would take each of the kids year after year for many years for very long adventurous journeys. The man would coordinate in his mind, pack the station-wagon and small boat in tow, with enough supplies for a very-long 3-week trip, and then drive to Northern Manitoba. And we know . . . when his “kit” rolled in after 3 weeks, Ma would be very happy that he never lost one of the kids in a lake, nor did anyone get eaten by some creature up there.  Always safely home.  

Ernie is survived by his five Step Children (and Grandchildren respectively): William Lannen [Joe Lannen, Jeff (Jessica) Lannen],   Robert Lannen [Christina (Matthew) Elms],  James Lannen [James (Trisha) Lannen Jr, Amy Lannen, Jeremy Lannen],  Jerry Lannen, and Anita Loechner [Cory (Azure Moss) Loechner], as well as several Great Grandchildren.  Nieces and Nephews:  Carol Jean (the Late Don) Meyers, Jerry (Bonita) Slovinski, Linda (Dave) Jordan, Cindy Slovinski, Valerie (Dan Duback) Beguin, Loretta (Jay) Mills, Earl (Tina) [EJ] Gray,   Stacy Alex Gray,  Joseph (Cathy) Ernst,  Amy Ernst Frankovich,  Sara (Steven Cutcher) Ernst-Cutcher, and several Great Nieces and Nephews.

Preceded in Death by the wife, his parents, and five Siblings:  Irene (Stanley) Slovinski, Alice (Carl) Nicholson [as well as two of her children: Mary Nicholson Handley, Carl (the late Sharon) “Bumpy” Nicholson Jr.],  Margie (Earl) Gray, Rose Mary (Leo) Cusick, and most recently his beloved Brother and best friend Joseph J. Ernst Jr.

In Life, (outside of his large family), his three greatest passions were his Marie, Canada, and Bart. Bart was his faithful and obedient bird-dog, that could instantly switch on and off from the field to home and all the kids. We know, that he had missed that pet for all these years.  In some way, maybe he has connected with (our beloved) “Ma”, and his Bart.  And probably buzzing around good ole Reed Lake.

Online condolences and Memories may be shared at PtakFH.com