Ethel M. Ernst (nee Wagner), age 97, of Toms River NJ, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ.
Ethel was born in Irvington, NJ and lived in Newark where she met her husband, Arthur. She worked for many years as a bookkeeper, while they raised their family in Irvington, Maplewood, and Springfield before retiring in Toms River, NJ in 1988.
Ethel was known for her sense of humor, and would laugh herself to tears, most often at herself. She had a quick wit, a strong will, and a sharp mind. She loved to cook and bake for her family and was excellent at both. Ethel loved to play cards with her girlfriends and was a very lucky bingo player.
Her home was a special place for her, and she took great pride in her decorations. Never one to be caught without her lipstick and pocket book, she loved to be on the move.
Equally sweet and tough, she was a lesson to everyone in resilience, having suffered several health setbacks and the deaths of both her husband and her son in recent years. However, she never let it stop her from pushing forward. To her family and her friends, she was simply amazing and will be greatly missed.
Ethel was preceded in death by her loving husband, Arthur Ernst Sr, her son, Arthur Ernst Jr. and her brother George Wagner. Her family was her pride and joy, and she is survived by her son Tom Ernst (Judy), her daughter Barbara Ernst (Janelle), her daughter in law Elizabeth Ernst, sister in law Janet Wagner, 5 grandchildren Arthur III, Patrick, Ted, Tim, and Tom, several nieces and nephews, 6 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, her compassionate caregiver, Hillary, and 2 treat-begging grand dogs Bertha and Maggie.
Visitation 10am-12pm Thursday, November 14, 2024, at DeGraff Lakehurst Funeral Home, 119 Union Ave., Lakehurst, followed by interment at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, FDR Station, PO Box 220, New York, NY 10150.
Sending you our condolences, much love and many hugs. So very sorry for your loss. Your entire family are in our prayers.🥰💞🙏🏻
Condolences to you Tom & all of your family on the loss of your Mother.
My Sincere Condolences For Your Loss
Sending Prayers And Much Hugs To Your Family 🙏🙏
So very sorry for your loss Tom. Your Mom was a very strong, resilent, loving person. You were a wonderful loving son.❤️Heaven has gained another Angel😇
So sorry for your loss Tom
Sorry to see that your Mom has passed on. Sending caring thoughts to you , the family, her friends and associates.
Barb, so sorry for the loss of this precious and gentle soul. She will always be remembered by me as kind and loving. You were blessed to share love.and life with her for so many years. May you find comfort in the lasting memories ahead.
DC
I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest condolences to you and your family.