George H. Ernst

George Ernst, 83, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2013, at Kindred Hospital Sycamore. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25, 2013, at St. Francis of Assisi Church with Rev. Mike Adrie officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2013, at Ottawa Funeral Home with prayers at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery with Military Services. George was born February 6, 1930, in Rosedale, Kansas, to Xavier and Anna Ernst. He married Helen Schwarzbach on May 16, 1959, at St. Francis of Assisi Church. George served in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean War as a Class II Petty Officer. He retired from Libbey Owens Ford after 42 years of service. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, the American Legion, and Local 19. He is survived by his wife, Helen; three daughters, Karen Burress of Ottawa, Kathy (Rick) Burress of Marseilles, and Jennifer (Ron) Haage of Ottawa; nine grandchildren; three great grandchildren; one sister, Rose (Virgil) Eschbach; and a brother-in-law, Cecil Cross. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Henrietta Cross. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Memorials may be directed to the family.