Robert E. Ernst

Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) E. Ernst, age 98, was born on August 26, 1919 in Madison, Ohio and died on July 1, 2018. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Sarah, his brother, Carlyle, and after 70 years of marriage, his beloved wife, Gladys (née Cagwin). He is survived by his 4 children and their spouses: John and Lynne Ernst, Jack and Esther (Ernst) Goodall, Charles and Anne Ernst, Stephen and Teresa Ernst, 8 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. After receiving his diploma in 1941 from Practical Bible Training School (now Davis College), he started his ministerial career in Chillicothe, Ohio as a missionary with the American Sunday School Union. Subsequently, he received a BA in 1948 from Houghton College, a Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Divinity in 1958 and 1973, respectively, from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1981 Florida Bible College awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. After serving at two churches in New York, he returned to his native Ohio, where he commenced a 31 year career as a minister serving at First Baptist Churches in Kingsville and Zanesville and Union Baptist Church in Troy. He retired in 1984 from full-time ministry but shortly thereafter accepted an invitation for interim work at First Baptist Church in Grove City. After finishing his work in Grove City, he continued working on and off in an interim capacity for the next 16 years serving in a total of 10 different placements. When Rev. Ernst finally retired in 2001, his ministry spanned 60 years and encompassed over 50 different churches as missionary, minister, revival evangelist or guest pastor. In addition to his ministerial service, Rev. Ernst held a variety of positions with The American Baptist Churches of Ohio organization, from local and regional associations to the state level. He also found time to contribute in many ways to the communities in which he lived. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of American for three decades during which time he served as Chaplain and Counselor at two national Jamborees. He also was Chaplain of the Ohio Defense Corps for several years and participated in various local public education and hospital organizations. He traveled with Gladys on missionary work tours to Haiti, Puerto Rico and Alaska, and toured Egypt and the Holy Land. Family will receive friends Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Karl Road Baptist Church, 5750 Karl Road, where a funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. Burial to follow at Blendon Central Cemetery. In 2007, family and friends established the Reverend Robert E. and Gladys G. Ernst Scholarship ("Ernst Scholarship") with the Ohio Baptist Educational Society. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Ernst Scholarship. Contributions can be mailed to: Ohio Baptist Educational Society, ATT: Ernst Scholarship, P. O. Box 0288, Granville, Ohio 43023. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTH CHAPEL.