Paul J. Ernstes, 93, passed away on August 16, 2018 at his home in Greensburg, Indiana surrounded by his family.
He was born on March 28, 1925 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Harry and Anna (Leising) Ernstes and was a lifelong resident of Decatur County.
Paul married Barbara Walsman in January of 1949 in Batesville, Indiana and they enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage together.
Paul grew up on East Base Road and graduated from Greensburg High School in 1943. His father died when he was seven years old, but he was mentored by many kind neighbors and friends throughout his youth and his early years as a farmer. He always had many great stories to tell his family about those years. His family encouraged him to write a book about those stories which he completed in time to be published for his 90th birthday. The book was titled; “Sentimental Journey”, which was the song he sang to his young daughters as he milked the cows.
Farming was what Paul loved to do. He raised hogs, fed cattle, grew corn and soybeans, and in his later farming years he grew seed corn for Pioneer. He loved tractors, and, in his retirement, he collected two-cylinder John Deere and other brands as well as models for each of the tractors he owned. As an active member of the Power of the Past, he showed many of those tractors at the Decatur County show every year.
From 1974 to 1986 Paul was Decatur County Commissioner. Some of the accomplishments in that time included renovation of the courthouse, a new jail, the animal shelter, and county-wide free library. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus, the Lucky Investment Club, the Cattleman’s Club, and the Decatur County Drug and Alcohol Beverage Board.
Paul is survived by his spouse, Barbara Ernstes, Greensburg, four daughters, Paula (Jon) Fox, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Marilyn (David) Ebbinghouse, Bloomington, IN, Nancy (Herm Waltemate) Ernstes, Cleveland, OH, Kathy (David) Henry, Springfield, OH, 6 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Marcia Berg.
A rosary service will start at 12:30 pm on Sunday at Porter-Oliger-Pearson Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 5 pm.
Visitation will also be held on Monday, August 20, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 9-10 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 am with Rev. John Meyer officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Paul’s name to Oldenburg Academy, Decatur County Animal Control, or a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be made at www.popfuneralhome.com