Dorothy Ernest

Dorothy Virginia Peters Ernest, 91, of Decatur, Illinois, peacefully passed away at 4:20 AM Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Visitation will be at 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Brintlinger & Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, followed by funeral services at 2:00 PM. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. She was born December 30, 1920 in Pekin, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest Henry Otto and Ida Anna (Haase) Peters. In 1940 she married John Frederick Ernest, engineer at Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria and moved to Decatur in 1958 after his transfer to the Decatur plant. She loved her life in Decatur as wife and mother, loved her garden and flowers, and was active as a volunteer in schools and several organizations. In Garden Club she enjoyed decorating the Oglesby House and Millikin House at Christmas. A Garden Club activity that was ongoing was to create and present projects for Imboden residents to complete. Through the club she created beautiful table settings and flower arrangements. She worked with the St. Mary's Auxiliary creating flower arrangements for the hospital gift shop. She was active in Homemaker's Extension Association. A lover of animals, she volunteered as an educator for Scovill Zoo. She supported her husband's community service projects through Golden K and Caterpillar Retirees. She was active throughout her life playing bridge and golf. She enjoyed aerobics and other activities at the Decatur Athletic Club until age 85. She had many friends in Decatur and especially enjoyed lunch with the girls every Friday. She was always there for a friend in need and will be missed by many. She enjoyed traveling with her husband to visit son and family in California and daughter and family in various places, including England. After celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary in 2005, John died in 2006. She then moved to North Carolina to be near her daughter, living in Woodland Terrace, a beautiful independent living facility in Cary. She made many new friends and enjoyed the social life: outings, activities, parties and concerts that were offered. She also enjoyed being so close to family. She was active and happy until December 21, 2011 when she fell ill. She was preceded in death by her husband and brother. She is survived by two children (John Ernest, Jr. of Irvine CA and Pamela Ernest Richart of Cary, NC), four granddaughters and five great-grandchildren. She loved being called "Supergrandma!" In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Wake County, 200 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607, First United Methodist Church, 201 W North St, Decatur IL 62522, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be left to the family at www.brintlingerandearl.com "
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