Eileen Ernst

Eileen Virginia Hahn Ernst, 91, died peacefully Saturday, March 29, 2014, at Chateau Girardeau from complications of a stroke.

Eileen was born March 8, 1923, in Fornfelt, Mo., now Scott City, to Charles and Estella Blattel Hahn.

She and Ben Ernst were married June 17, 1944, in Fornfelt. He preceded her in death April 27, 1994, just short of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Eileen was a very active member of St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Scott City where she sang in the choir and served as church organist for more than 50 years. She also loved Big Band music, as evidenced by her role as pianist for the Bob Rosenquist Band, with whom she and Ben played for more than 20 years.

She was an avid volunteer and supporter of numerous charitable organizations, and was a member of the St. Joseph Council of Catholic Women.

She will be greatly missed by her six children and their spouses: Ben Ernst Jr. (Debi) of Port Charlotte, Fla.; Barbara (Bob) Haveman of Trenton, Mich.; Bill (Toni) Ernst of Ballwin, Mo.; Betty (John) Beckham of Salem, Mo.; Becky (Dennis) Essner of Kelso, Mo.; and Bev (Jeff) Buster of Springfield, Mo. Other survivors include sisters Shirley (Richard) Hopper of Derby, Kan., and Denise (Dan) McLean of Naples, Fla.; and a brother, Gene (Doris) Hahn of Parkville, Mo. She was the beloved "Me-Maw" of 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, and a favorite aunt of Lisa Hahn Spies, who provided her with many hours of loving care.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Vidamae Hahn.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City. Parish prayers will be at 5:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin as Celebrant.

Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Scott City.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to St. Joseph's Church or Southeast Hospice in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be shared at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.