Michael Oscar Ernst Sr. the son of Oscar and Margaret (Clarke) Ernst, was born September 7, 1950, in Atlantic, Iowa. Michael entered into eternal rest on December 13, 2023 at the Community Care Center in Stuart, IA at the age of 73.
Michael served in the U.S. Army, including a deployment to Germany during Vietnam. After returning from the military, Michael was united in marriage to Diane Reynolds on June 9, 1972 in Adair, IA. They were married for 48 years. To this union 3 children were born, Mike, Marc and Mitch.
Michael worked at various trucking companies after getting out of the army. He was an over the road trucker for many years. After Diane had received her CDL, they became a team over the road trucking.
Michael found joy in many things; going to the casino with his wife, playing cards, playing bingo, going to parades, watching westerns and spending time with his wife, his kids and his grandkids and puppy.
Michael was a member of the Adair Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years, where he served as a firefighter and a drive. He was a member of the Anita Legion Auxiliary. He was a member of the former Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair, and currently the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Adair.
Left to cherish Michael’s memory are his children: Mike Ernst and friend Amy, Marc (Paula) Ernst and Mitch (Christi) Ernst; grandchildren: Brad and friend Jhanelle , Mariah, Devon, Austin, Jonny, Alex, Joe (Brittany), Dakota ( Fiance, Lauren), Natalee, Hunter and friend Kynna and Ahraya; great-grandchildren: Nevaeh, Mailee and Charlee; brothers, Jim (Marcella) Ernst, David Chambers and sister, Cheryl Petterson. Brothers-in-law, Ken (Jackie) Reynolds, Jim (Sharon) Reynolds and Allen (Billie) Reynolds, along with many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Proceeding Michael in death are his wife, Diane, parents, Oscar (Helen) Ernst and Margaret (Zene) Chambers; in-laws, Richard (Arlene) Reynolds, Marlene Reynolds; brothers, Dan Chambers, Daryl Chambers; brother-in-law, George Petterson, sister-in-law Kim Chambers and nephew, Brian Chambers.
Memorial Services will be Saturday, March 23rd at 10:30 at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Adair. Burial will be at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. Neptune Cremation Service in Des Moines is in charge of arrangements.
