Lloyd Ernst
Funeral services for Lloyd R. Ernst, 87, Clinton resident and businessman, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Custer Avenue Church of Christ.
He died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at the emergency room of AllianceHealth Clinton.
Lloyd Ray Ernst was born Aug. 11, 1928, the son of Joseph and Hulda (Knauf) Ernst in Bessie. He was raised in the Independence area and graduated from high school in 1946.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after high school. He served in World War II and spent time in Okinawa before being honorably discharged in 1948.
Ernst returned to Custer County and married Lucille Sullins April 11, 1948, in Custer City. They made their homes in Kansas, Arizona, Texas and Oklahoma. They spent many years in Shawnee before settling back in Clinton in 1980.
He worked in retail sales most of his life, working for McClellan’s Department Store and spending 21 years with TG&Y. The couple owned and operated Lucille’s Nutrition Shop and was considered Senior National Managers with Nature Sunshine. Their son, Randy Ernst, had joined them in business and is presently owner and operator.
Ernst was a member of the Church of Christ and was a self-taught Bible scholar. He served in many capacities in the church, teaching Bible, Sunday school, and serving on building committees. From 1956 until 1960, he and his wife served as house parents at the Maud Carpenter’s Children Home in Wichita, Kan. He was an elder for the Shawnee congregation for several years and has supported many other missionary works. He was instrumental in starting several congregations and has traveled all over the United States teaching Bible and leading people to the Lord.
Ernst was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Carolyn Reed; and a sister, Dorothy Engers.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lucille of the home; two sons, Larry Ernst and his wife, Debbie, of Seminole, and Randy Ernst of Clinton; one daughter, Dorothy Coffey, of Abilene, Texas; a brother, Marvin Ernst, and his wife, Rosie, of Clinton; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be officiated by Terry Rush and Jonathan Zerby. Burial will conclude in the Clinton Cemetery under the direction of Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home.
The family has suggested those wanting to make a memorial contribution do so to the Tipton Children’s Home, 1000 North Broadway, Tipton, OK, 73570.