Jackie Dean Erne

Jackie Dean Erne

March 12, 1927 - December 30, 2015

Our dad, Jack Dean Erne, passed on December 30, 2015 at the age of 88 at IU Health LaPorte Hospital.

He was born on March 12, 1927 to Ellery Ercie and Elsie Louise (Wagner) Erne. He was one of five children; Betty Vanhorn of Colorado, David Erne of California, Gladys Price (deceased), and Danny Erne of LaPorte.

Jack was a lifelong resident of LaPorte, Indiana. He served during World War II in the 143rd Naval Construction Battalion (U.S. Navy Seabees). He was a construction plumber by trade and a member of local 172 Plumbers and Pipe Fitters union for over 60 years, working most of his career for Dye Plumbing and Heating.

Jack was an avid Railroad collector and loved talking about the history of LaPorte. He was an extremely hard worker and loved having fun. His motto was ‘git-r-done’. He was especially proud of his family, his Railroad collection, and their tulips.

Jack married Mary Catherine Minier on September 4, 1948. She passed on June 9, 2001. Together they raised 8 children all of whom reside in LaPorte, Indiana. James (Jenny) Erne, John (Jan) Erne, Kathleen (Paul) Richards, Jacqueline (Ed) Sliwa, Thomas Erne, Cynthia (Duane) Tucker, Jennifer (Jeff) Timm, and Christopher Erne. He also had 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

On August 16, 2002 he married his second love, Shirley Helen Manley-Erne. She too had a large family of eight children; Tom, Douglas, Vickie, Sandy, Steve, and Phillip, Copeland, and Dawn, and Mistie Manley.

They loved antiquing, taking rides in the country, traveling to Turkey Run state park, and Tulips blooming in the spring. They especially appreciated Dad’s right hand man, his son Tommy.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m. Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, ESSLING CHAPEL, 1117 Indiana Avenue, LaPorte, Indiana.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday January 4, 2016 at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, ESSLING CHAPEL.  He will be buried at Patton Cemetery next to his wife Mary of 53 years. A luncheon will be held immediately following the Cemetery service at St. John Lutheran Church on Monroe Street.

Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.

To send condolences online, please visit Essling Funeral Home.com.

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