Harold J. Ernst

Harold J “Ernie” Ernst

Ernie passed away on Dec. 3, 2022 at the age of 98 years and 9 months. He was under the wonderful care of the staff at Heritage Manor in Walnut.

He was born the youngest of 6 children to Joel and Lora (Griscel) Ernst in Hancock County, IL. on March 8, 1924. He grew up in Hamilton, IL.

Ernie served in the Navy during WWII, having enlisted at the age of 17 during his senior year of high school after he learned of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He began his service career Jan 1, 1942, where he was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. His main duty there was to go underwater to a watch-post, keeping an eye on the sonar for enemy submarines. He later served to help evacuate our service men from Japan. He ended his career on Dec. 3, 1945 with the rank of Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class.

He attended Culver Stockton College on the G.I. Bill where he met his future wife, Marianna Carson Maxwell of Quincy, IL. They were married Feb. 21, 1947. He received his Bachelor’s degree at Culver Stockton College, then continued his education at Western University where he received his Master’s in Biology.

Ernie taught high school science for a short time, then decided to switch careers to sell Horace Mann Insurance. That career move took him to Rochester, Indiana and then Montpelier, Vermont, where Ernie started his lifetime career as a wholesale monument dealer for many granite companies out of Vermont as well as Georgia. His selling territory was the Midwest, which brought himself and his family, in the summer of 1965, to Princeton, IL, where he lived out the remainder of his life.

Ernie is survived by his 3 children: Edward M (Delyte) Ernst of Kalama, WA, Rebecca M Vail of Faribault, MN, Lora R (Charles) Warren of Princeton, IL.

9 grandchildren: Jason (Crystal) Ernst, Phill (Kate) Ernst, Katie Ernst, [their mother Denice Ernst], Amanda (Jenna) Vail Abts, Kristin Vail, Samantha (Henry Connelly) Warren, Jacob Warren, Matthew (Jessica) Warren, and Nicolas Warren.

6 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife: Marianna Maxwell Ernst, parents: Joel and Lora Ernst, 2 sisters: Ruth Remedi and Dorothy Morrison, and 3 brothers: George, William, and John. 

Cremation rites were awarded, and internment will be in Oakland Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will happen this summer for the family.

Memorials may be directed to Heritage Manor, Walnut.