Ralph J. Ernst, 73, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 21, 2018 at St. Mary’s Church in East Dubuque. Burial in the East Dubuque Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded by members of American Legion Post #787.
Visitation 2 – 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 9 – 9:45 a.m. on Monday at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque, where the parish prayer service will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Members of American Legion Post #787 will meet at the funeral home at 2:00 p.m. Sunday.

Ralph was born on November 2, 1944 in Bellevue, Iowa, the son of Orville M. and Marie H. (Till) Ernst. He graduated from Marquette High School in Bellevue. Ralph served in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1965 – 1967. He married June “Bonnie” Splinter on July 8, 1972 at Nativity Church in Dubuque, IA.

Ralph was a member of Local #94 U.A.W. and American Legion Post #787 of East Dubuque. He retired after 33 years from the John Deere Dubuque Works.

Ralph and Bonnie were caretakers at the East Dubuque Cemetery for 15 years. He loved to hear and tell good jokes, play golf, take care of his immaculate lawn at home and also enjoyed watching the Cubs, Packers and Bears with his wife by his side. Ralph loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of almost 45 years; his children, Cindy (Jeff) Apel of East Dubuque, Jeff Driscoll and (special friend Angie) from Louisiana, Lisa (John) Mueller of Farley, IA, and Tanya (Pat) Schilling of Dubuque; three grandsons, Jake Schroeder of Dubuque, Joe Apel of Germantown, MD, and Michael Atchison of Dubuque; great-grandaughters, Ava and Audrey; and one great grandson, Kellen; his siblings, Juneva Sagers, Cleo Manning, and Annaclete (Julius) Nimms all of Maquoketa, IA; and many nieces and nephews; his in-laws, Edward Splinter, Brenda Halfhill and David “Pete” Splinter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Jerry Manning; niece Chris Manning; sisters-in-law, Doris Splinter and Debbie Levins; brother-in-law Mike Levins; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ed and Dorothy Splinter; great nephew, Nick VanOstrand and great niece, Donna Splinter.

Ralph’s family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to Officer Kyle Huseman and the East Dubuque Area EMTs for their quick response and compassion.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.