Gaylon A. Ernst
1936 — 2014
Gaylon A. Ernst, 78 of Bartlett, NE passed away Sunday, February 16, 2014 at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital in O’Neill, NE.
Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 21, 2014 at Park Congregational UCC Church west of Elgin, NE with Pastor Janet Davis officiating. Interment will follow at the Park Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post #107 of Bartlett, NE. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Huffman-Levander Funeral Home in Elgin, NE.
Casual dress for those in attendance is requested. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.huffmanlevander.com
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Gaylon Alois Ernst, son of William Joseph and Pearl Mildred (Weeder) Ernst, was born June 4, 1935, on the family farm in the Park Center community.
He was baptized and confirmed at Park UCC Church, west of Elgin, attended school at Sunnyside Rural School District and graduated from Elgin High School in 1953.
After graduation, he joined the Army and served in the Korean War. Following an honorable discharge, he returned to Elgin where he worked as a mechanic at Contois Motors.
On April 11, 1959, Gaylon married Mary Alyce Werning at St. Boniface Church in Elgin, NE. The couple made their home in the Park Center community where Gaylon farmed with his father. In the early 1980’s, Gaylon sold the farm and moved to Barlett, NE where he went to work for the Wheeler County Department of Roads, and worked there until retiring in 2003.
He was a member of the Park UCC Church, the American Legion and VFW. He enjoyed bowling in his earlier years, driving his golf cart around Bartlett in his later years, and was the King of Shuffleboard in Wheeler County. He also enjoyed his antique tractor and farm equipment.
Gaylon is survived by four daughters: Sandra (Dean) Held of Stockham, NE; Lori Knight of Ericson, NE; Gayla (Brad) Kovarik of Seneca, NE; Becky Heerten of North Platte, NE; 14 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; one sister: Mary McCain of Grand Island, NE; one niece: RaeJean (Dana) Hawk of Grand Island, NE; along with other relatives and lots of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Lyle Ernst.
