Wilfred Ernst

BIEHLE, Mo. — Wilfred N. Ernst, 92, of Biehle died Monday, Aug. 4, 2008, at Independence Care Center of Perry County.

He was born July 15, 1916, at Biehle, son of Joseph and Catherine Wingerter Ernst. He and Anita Pingel were married Nov. 20, 1943.

Ernst was a lifelong farmer in the Biehle area. He was a member of St. Maurus Catholic Church, Farm Bureau, Knights of Columbus, helped start Biehle 4-H Club and Biehle Social Club, and served on Perryville FHA Board.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Betty (A.J.) Kluesner of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Jim (Stella), David (June), and Duane (Denise) Ernst, all of Perryville, Ted (Nancy) Ernst of Jackson; and a sister-in-law, Cleora Ernst of Perryville.

Also 12 grandchildren, Teresa (Brad) Durden, Cheryl (Michael) Rich, Greg (Lorraine) Kluesner, Gwen (Rishi) Reddy, Laura Ernst, Tim (Bonnie) Ernst, Mark (Tiffany) Ernst, Samuel (Terri) Birk, Pamela Birk, Michael Birk, Kindle Ernst, Zachary Ernst; and 14 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Ronald and Gary; four brothers, Arnold, Joseph, Othmar and Robert; four sisters, Flavian Ernst, Louisa Schloss, Ida Moll, Irma Biehle; three granddaughters, Carolyn Kluesner Modglin, Lezlie Ernst, Natasha Ernst; and a grandson, Steve Kluesner.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 6:30 to 9:15 a.m. Friday at Young and Sons Funeral Home. The parish wake will be at 5 p.m. today.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Maurus Catholic Church, with the Rev. Alphonse Hoernig officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.