Duke R. Ernst 1943-2008

SCHULTZ, ERNST, BOLLINGER, FERDON, MELCHERT, KIEFFER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 3/12/2008 at 09:07:22

Duke R. Ernst 1943-2008

Duke R. Ernst, 64, of Belvidere, Ill., formerly of Dubuque, died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at home following a long illness.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Buck-Wheeler-Hyland Funeral Home, 218 W. Hurlbut Ave., Belvidere, with the Rev. David Bateman of St. John's United Church of Christ officiating. Burial will be in the Belvidere Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

He was born on March 16, 1943, in Dubuque, son of Milton F. and Ruth A. (Schultz) Ernst Melchert. Duke was raised by his mother and stepfather, Irvin Melchert. He married Ruth Ann Bollinger on July 29, 1972, in Genoa.

He was confirmed at Immanuel Congregational Church in Dubuque, and graduated from Senior High School, class of 1961.

He served in the Army from 1961 to 1967. He served with HQ, USARV from 1965 to 1976. Along with other awards, Duke received the Bronze Star.

He was employed at Chrysler, Belvidere Assembly Plant, and was a member of United Auto Workers Local 1268, from 1967 to 2001.

Duke was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ where he was involved in many activities. He was also a member of the Boone County Gardeners of America, receiving the Bronze award in 2003, the Belvidere Moose Lodge, Cub Scout leader and an avid bowler.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth Ann; a daughter, Jessica (Kevin) Ferdon, of Belvidere; a son, Jeffrey Ernst and special friend, Nick Zbrzeski, of Sycamore; grandchildren, Maddie Ernst and Tyler and Trevor Ferdon, all of Belvidere; brothers, Milt (Linda) Ernst and Frank (Sandi) Ernst, of Asbury; a sister, Karen (James) Kieffer, of Dubuque; and a half brother and sister, Donald (Lori) Ernst and Pam Ernst, both of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by his mother in 2003; his stepfather, Irvin K. Melchert, in 1971; his father, in 1981; and an infant son, Robert "Bobby" D. on Feb. 4, 1975.

Copyright (c) Woodward Communications, Inc. 2008, All Rights Reserved. Dubuque Telegraph Herald, Tuesday, January 15, 2008