Ernest Earl Gray

Ernest Earl Gray, 86, of Wenona, IL, formerly of Ottawa died, Monday, August 22, 2011 at St. Margaret's Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 27, 2011 at St. Mary's Church, in Naplate with the Fr. Mike Adrie officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 - 7 pm, Friday, August 26 at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 4:00 pm. Ernest Gray was born March 24, 1925, in Fairfield, Illinois, to Benjamin and Hattie (McTaggart) Gray. He married Catherine Lakan on November 8, 1947, she died in 1978. He then married Elizabeth "Pat" Prinzinger-Rassi on June 21, 1983 at St. Francis of Assisi Church. He retired from LOF Glass Co. He was a member of St. Mary's Church in Wenona, Illinois. Ernest loved fishing, hunting, gardening, and gathering nuts, berries, mushrooms, and asparagus. He also enjoyed dancing, cards, a cold beer, visiting, picnics, and holidays. He is survived by his wife; Elizabeth Gray of Wenona, two daughters, Gail Sherman of Ottawa and Bonnie (Roger) Zuk of Ottawa; three sons, Ernest S. (Diane) Gray, Ben (Marsha) Gray and Robert Gray all of Ottawa; nineteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, two brothers, Gordon (Joan) Gray and Doyle (Jean) Gray; and one sister, Dolores (John) Korstick. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Catherine, his daughter Lynda Gray, one son David Gray and one grandson AJ Gray. Pallbearers will be Eric Gray, Mark Overbeck, Duane Sherman, Damir Dzubic, Don Lavanway, and Jonathan Gray. Memorials may be directed to Donors Choice.