A Funeral Mass for Jerry Thomas "Chief" Ernest, 90, of Newark, will be held at The Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, November 27, 2013 with Fr. Jonathan Wilson as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery with military honors provided by the Licking County Veterans Alliance.

Jerry, a parishioner of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, died at the Sterling House on Sunday, November 24, 2013. He was born in Los Angeles, California on December 12, 1922 to the late Albert Lewis and Evelyn Marjorie (Cranton) Ernest.

As a Chief with the United States Navy, Jerry served during WWII, Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, retiring after 22 years of service. Following this, Jerry worked for Rockwell International and eventually retired from Dayton Precision. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Sons of Italy Rinascimento Lodge.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Giselda Frances (Giorgetti) Ernest, of the home; his children and their spouses, Al and Liu Fang Ernest of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, Tom and Debbie Ernest of Horatio, Arkansas, Lea and Daniel Anderson, Jeri Ernest, Fred and Christina Ernest, all of St. Louisville, and Julie Rucker of Lewisport, Kentucky; 13 grandchildren Sara, Jessica, Elizabeth, Lucy Liu, Shelly, Paul, John, Abbye, Suki, Ali, Tanner, Emily, and Erin; 14 great-grandchildren; his sister, Ruth Helen Marshall of Coral Gables, Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his sister, Phyllis.

Friends and family may call from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M., Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the REED-EGAN FUNERAL HOME, 141 Green Wave Drive, Newark, where the Sons of Italy will conduct a service at 6:45 P.M., and a Vigil Service will be held at 8:30 P.M.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Blessed Sacrament School Centennial Building Fund, 378 East Main Street, Newark, Ohio 43055.

To share your memory of Jerry, or leave a condolence for the family, please visit www.reedegan.com.