Ernst Werner
June 2nd, 1942 - January 14th, 2022
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Ernst's Obituary
Ernst Werner, 79, of Benton Harbor passed away on January 14, 2022, at his home surrounded by his family. A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022, from 4pm until 7pm, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Those wishing to leave online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Ernst was born on June 2, 1942, to Emil and Frieda (Binder) Werner in Gross Redern, Germany. While living in Germany he studied to become a master butcher. At the age of 16, he immigrated to the United States and used his skills as a butcher to work for Vienna Sausage Company. On September 18, 1965, Ernst married the love of his life, Sofia Wolf, in Chicago. In 1971, they moved to Benton Harbor. Ernst first worked making sausage at Zick’s Vineland Foodland and then worked for PME (Precision Mold & Engineering) doing machine repair for over 32 years before retiring.
Ernst was known as a handyman and was often found tinkering in his garage or helping others fix whatever was broken – or he was making sausage in his kitchen for family and friends. He enjoyed his daily walks by Silver beach with his wife and his favorite meals from Café’ Tosi’s. Ernst was an avid dancer and went to every Octoberfest/dance at the D.A.N.K. possible, up in Frankenmuth, or at his beloved family’s “Werner-fest” with Sofia and the rest of his family. Most of all, he treasured his time spent with all his family and friends.
Ernst is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sofia Werner, children Heidi (Bryon) Fulbright of North Liberty, IN, and Dieter (Yvonne) Werner of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Jessica (Steven) Keath, Josef Jaworski, Nathan May, Sofia May, Matthew (Krissy) Keeter, Derek Werner and Kody Werner; great-grandchildren Noah Keath and Roman Keeter; and siblings, Siegfried (Marianne) Werner, and Rita (Norbert) Weiss; nephews Gunther (Penny) Werner and Michael (Jen) Werner; great-nephew and nieces Jake Werner and Grethen and Isabella Werner.
Ernst was born on June 2, 1942, to Emil and Frieda (Binder) Werner in Gross Redern, Germany. While living in Germany he studied to become a master butcher. At the age of 16, he immigrated to the United States and used his skills as a butcher to work for Vienna Sausage Company. On September 18, 1965, Ernst married the love of his life, Sofia Wolf, in Chicago. In 1971, they moved to Benton Harbor. Ernst first worked making sausage at Zick’s Vineland Foodland and then worked for PME (Precision Mold & Engineering) doing machine repair for over 32 years before retiring.
Ernst was known as a handyman and was often found tinkering in his garage or helping others fix whatever was broken – or he was making sausage in his kitchen for family and friends. He enjoyed his daily walks by Silver beach with his wife and his favorite meals from Café’ Tosi’s. Ernst was an avid dancer and went to every Octoberfest/dance at the D.A.N.K. possible, up in Frankenmuth, or at his beloved family’s “Werner-fest” with Sofia and the rest of his family. Most of all, he treasured his time spent with all his family and friends.
Ernst is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sofia Werner, children Heidi (Bryon) Fulbright of North Liberty, IN, and Dieter (Yvonne) Werner of Berrien Springs; grandchildren, Jessica (Steven) Keath, Josef Jaworski, Nathan May, Sofia May, Matthew (Krissy) Keeter, Derek Werner and Kody Werner; great-grandchildren Noah Keath and Roman Keeter; and siblings, Siegfried (Marianne) Werner, and Rita (Norbert) Weiss; nephews Gunther (Penny) Werner and Michael (Jen) Werner; great-nephew and nieces Jake Werner and Grethen and Isabella Werner.
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