He was born on Oct. 18, 1929 in Natchito-ches, La. to the late Robert Lee and Irene (nee Cobb) Jones.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school and after his discharge he worked as a journeyman pipefitter in the gas pipeline industry, working in most of the states at one time or another.

He also worked as a steelworker, helping build the Duluth-Superior bridge and the Greater New Orleans bridge. He also worked on the oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ernie married Marilyn Barth in 1951 and together they had two daughters, Kathleen (Sal) Piccolo of Meraux, La. and Holly (Ken) Blankenship of Knoxville, Tenn. With this family he had five grandchildren, Brandi (Kent) Bergeron, Biagio Piccolo, Laurie Piccolo, Kelly Waver and Melissa Waver, and five great-grandchildren, Hannah, John, Kasandre and Geneva Bergeron and Salvator Alex Piccolo.

In 1962, he settled in West Bend working pipeline construction in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

He was also a part-time musician, playing guitar in several local country bands during the 1960s and ‘70s.

He married Carol Grem-minger on Dec. 12, 1964 in Waukegan, Ill. Together, they have a son, David (Mary) Jones, and a daughter, Laurie (Tim) Klitzman, with two granddaughters, Mikayla and Alexandra Klitzman, all of West Bend.

Ernie was a member of the Wes-Bar Sportsmen’s Club and had many friends who were always giving each other a helping hand. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and going to the Brewers and Packers games.

Survivors include his loving wife of almost 40 years, Carol; his four children, Kathy (Sal), Holly (Ken), David (Mary) and Laurie (Tim); his seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; five brothers-in-law, Ted Wilcox, Dave Gremminger, Robert Gremminger, Roger Gremminger and Jim Hohl; a special family friend, Kasem Nithipatikom; five sisters-in-law, Martha Jones, Jewel Jones, Sister Elaine Gremminger, Ruth Gremminger and Sue Hohl; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.

Preceding him in death were five brothers, Robert Lee, Rose-mond, Thadeus, Olan and Dale; a sister, Claudine Wilcox, and three sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 7750 Highway 144 North, West Bend, with Rev. Robert Korytkowski officiating.

Visitation at the Schmidt Funeral Home, West Bend, will be on Monday from 4 until 8 p.m. and also at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Memorials are appreciated.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Listwan, Dr. Treisman, the nurses and staff at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital of West Bend, the Samaritan Health Center, and a special thanks to all the wonderful people from Horizon Hospice Care and Help at Home.