Mr. Ernest Ray “Ernie” McKenzie, age 71, of Vevay, Indiana, entered this life on February 5, 1945, in Madison, Indiana, the loving son of the late, Leslie McKenzie and Mary Ellen (Cole) McKenzie McClellan. He was raised in Vevay, Indiana where he was a 1965 graduate of Vevay High School. Ernie was inducted into the United States Air Force on July 8, 1965 in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving during the Vietnam War. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Medal 900-3. Ernie was honorably discharged with the rank of Airman Basic on March 30, 1969 in Fairfield, California. Ernie was united in marriage on October 23, 1973 at the St. John Bosco Church in Hammond, Indiana, to Shirley Pavich and to this union arrived two sons, Benjamin and Michael to bless their home. Ernie was employed as an iron worker and welder for the LTV Steel in East Chicago, Illinois, retiring in 2004 after 32 years of service. He was a member of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 where he served faithfully on the Honor Guard. Ernie resided in the Vevay community since 2004 where he owned and operated Ernie’s Woodworks. Ernie enjoyed woodworking, riding his motorcycle and driving around town. Ernie will be remembered for his indecipherable personality and his famous sayings such as, “Whatcha call it?” “What’s his name?” and “Oh they live down that one street..” Ernie will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and his community. You were truly one of a kind and the Vevay community will be a little duller now without you. Ernie passed away at 8:09 am, Sunday June 5, 2016, at his residence in Vevay, Indiana.
Ernie will be dearly missed by his sons: Benjamin McKenzie of Bellvue, OH and Michael McKenzie of Lake Station, IN; his several grandchildren; his brothers: Donald McKenzie and his wife: Mardi of Tuttle, OK and Robert McKenzie and his wife: Lynda of Vevay, IN; his sisters: Lona Mathews of Largo, FL, Betty Scott of Vevay, IN and Loretta Hayes and her husband: Paul of Vevay, IN; his sister-in-law: Judy Kay White of Vevay, IN and his several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Leslie McKenzie and Mary Ellen (Cole) McKenzie McClellan; his brothers: Lewis Edward McKenzie, died October 1, 1989, David “Buck” White, died November 13, 2003, Richard “Rick” McKenzie, died August 1, 2010 and Elmer Lloyd “Dumpy” White, died February 23, 2014; his nephews: Richard L. “Dickie” White and R.J. Mathews and his nieces: Megan Shelby Hayes and Loni Amber Lynn Turner.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 10, 2016, at 1:00 pm, by Pastor KC Banta at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home, 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Interment and full military rites will be conducted by the Honor Guard of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 and the Vevay VFW Post #5396 in the Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana.
Friends may call 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Friday, June 10, 2016, at the Haskell & Morrison Funeral Home 208 Ferry Street Vevay, Indiana 47043.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vevay American Legion Post #185 Relief Fund or to the Loni Amber Lynn Turner Scholarship Fund % Community Foundation of Switzerland County. Cards are available at the funeral home.