James M. "Jim" Ernst

James M. "Jim" Ernst, 87, of Springfield, Illinois died on Sunday, October 21, 2018 at his residence. He was born on May 21, 1931 in Warsaw, Illinois in the family farmhouse, to the late Adam and Irma Kiser Ernst. He was married to a wonderful woman, Helga (Partier) Ernst, for 38 years before she preceded him in death. Being that he was born on the farm, he indeed had an innate skill for farming. Jim loved when he was rolling the combine, going to the elevator, and enjoying his farm. He truly felt at peace with soybeans and corn. After his high school graduation, Jim enrolled in the Navy and was sent overseas to serve in the Korean War. He was most proud of his service and was honored to serve his country. Jim wore his Navy medals proud and was well known on his ship, AJAX. He was stationed in the Philippines for three years and while in Manila he met the beautiful and charming, Helga Partier. They had the most fun as a sailor and his girl, and fell in love. Helga and Jim corresponded by mail and he was a most romantic Casanova. He wrote love letter after love letter to Helga professing his love with poems he wrote like: "You are my sunshine, bright and true; I fell in love with you through and through. Be my sweetie in every way; I will love you forever and a day." They married May 28, 1955 in Niagara Falls, NY. Jim went to work at the Post Office after his honorable discharge from the Navy, and stayed for almost 32 years. He accumulated more than 1500 work hours of sick pay each year; he was a stellar employee with no work-related injuries or accidents in 32 years. He was a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, Fishing Club of America, Central Illinois Philippine American Society (CIPAS) and the ROMEO Breakfast Club. The ROMEO club was his favorite club because ROMEO was "Really Old Men Eating Out." He also attended two Navy reunions for his ship AJAX where he enjoyed seeing his former shipmates. His love for research made him a better meteorologist than Channel 20 who my dad said, "got it wrong again." He immersed himself into genealogy and would travel to cities to request documents and take pictures of headstones for his massive family research. You could also find Jim watching NASCAR, the car auction channels, the Blues, Blackhawks, Bears, and alas, the Cubs games. And no, Jim wasnt crazy, he actually liked those teams. Jim was blessed with an amazing, super cool, intelligent daughter, Michelle, and although Michelle is writing this, she is pretty sure Jim said this to her many times. Jim volunteered at Michelles ballet performances and changed her automobile oil every 5,000 miles by himself. He was a most wonderful father to Michelle. One of Michelles most favorite memories is Jim holding her hand walking to Busch Stadium for Cardinals Football games. Michelle has many, private memories of Jim, her beloved father who she misses so, and who helped her with everything in her life. Jim was Michelles rock - keeping her balanced and grounded. In 1995, then in 1997, and one more time in 1999, Jim earned the title of Grandfather. He was, however, better known as PPJ to Bryce, Grant and Haydn… better known as BGH to PPJ. Bryce James, named after Jim, was Jims favorite hockey player, EVER. Jim would drive to St. Louis almost every weekend to see Bryce play. One of Bryces loving memories is when PPJ (Papa Jim) witnessed Bryce score two goals in a game. Naturally, PPJs favorite music was a hockey goal blow horn caused by Bryce. PPJ always stayed after games to make sure to tell Bryce what a wonderful game he played and to hug his sweaty grandson. Bryce loved his benevolent, tender, gentle approach to anything and anyone. One of the things PPJ wanted to do is watch Bryce play hockey in Montana, but PPJ wasnt a fan of traveling; however, PPJ would stream the game and watch Bryce play. PPJ loved to research Bryces games and the different venues, and text Bryce fun facts about the city he would play in and of course, the weather. PPJ would talk about his sister, Jenny, and about his time in the Navy to Bryce, as well as his genealogy research. Bryce was captivated by his Naval stories and PPJs belief in Bryce. One day at college, Bryce called PPJ for help because his battery was dead and corroded. PPJ immediately said, "I know I am 1,000 miles away from you, but lets do this together." And they did. It wasnt easy, but PPJ was patient, loving and most important, smart enough to teach Bryce how to change a corroded battery on FaceTime 1,000 miles away. PPJ gave Bryce some of his favorite tools after that and taught Bryce how to use a channel lock …for anything. Grant Favre was Jims favorite soccer player, EVER. Jim loved to attend all of Grants soccer games where he became a fan favorite amongst the mothers. PPJ loved watching Grant dive for soccer balls and he thought Grant look handsome in pink goalie shirts. Grant says he was a flirt and his favorite relationships were with any waitress he saw. Grant respected PPJs service in the Navy and honored him by drafting a tattoo which would have covered the entire left side of Grants body and half his back to which PPJ said, "Dont you dare mark your body... honor me by succeeding in life." Grant says going to college was because PPJ believed in him. PPJ had a way of making Grant smile because PPJ was witty, kind, cunning and charismatic. Although PPJ had faith, his strongest faith was in his three grandkids. Grant will miss PPJs daily weather report and the latest sports scores. Grant will also miss all of PPJs occasion cards. PPJ never missed an important date and his cards were on time AND PPJ addressed them to "Mr. Grant." The little details PPJ didnt miss to show BGH how special they were. PPJ loved Krekels hamburgers only when he shared them with his grandsons; he said they tasted better that way. PPJ would sing, "You are my Sunshine" to Grant and bring Mel-O-Cream donuts as a surprise on weekends. PPJ also spoiled Grant by waking him up for school by getting him dressed with warm clothes - PPJ would throw the school uniforms in the dryer so they would be warm during a chilly morning. Haydn Beau was Jims favorite co-pilot, EVER. Haydn says that the only reason he chose to play hockey one year in school is because PPJ believed in him. PPJ went to games and practices, and after, PPJ and Haydn would sit in the car and talk about everything. Haydn says PPJ had loyal devotion to anyone he met and that PPJ could strike up a conversation about any topic. PPJ liked to laugh and had the best jokes. Haydn remembers PPJ taking him on one of his "genealogy runs" to the cemetery with Nancy Bean, PPJs niece. As they walked through the headstones, PPJ passed gas loudly and started laughing. Nancy said, "JIM!" to which PPJ replied, "that wasnt me, that was my grandchild, Haydn." PPJ focused more on other people than himself because he got joy from making people happy. PPJ had a way of bringing family together with his selfless acts. Haydn is ROTC at college. He can see how PPJ took what he learned in the Navy about discipline and respect and applied it to his civilian life constantly. PPJ was so very proud of Haydn in the Army and since PPJs grandson would outrank him, PPJ was looking forward to saluting his grandson when Haydn graduates as an officer. Perhaps PPJ will salute Haydn from heaven. PPJ would help his grandsons with anything. He would drop anything to ensure BGH knew they remained his priority. He was a kind, passionate, patient man who was a stable force for his three beloved grandchildren and daughter. Jim knew everyone at DJ Caf and had a unique way of making everyone feel special. He and Mike had an unusual way of communicating through cheese omelet messages, and Susie knew he liked his toast dry. Jims relationships were extremely important to him and according to Grant, he was most interested in any waitress he has ever seen and considered them his most favorite relationship. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Thelma Gleason; and brother, Claude Ernst. He was blessed to have Ollie Bartnick as a loving companion who preceded him in death in 2012. Jim is survived by his daughter, Michelle Ernst Meckes (Nick Mossotti); three grandsons, Bryce, Grant and Haydn Meckes; and one sister, Jenny Bean of Jamestown, NY. Jenny, being eight years older, took care of "her little Jimmy" and it was the most wonderful care an older sister could give. So amazing that she dropped "her little Jimmy" into a flowerpot to help him grow. Although Jim claimed it happened… Jenny, even to this day, will still deny this. It was a good chuckle of a story with them each time they talked of being high-tech siblings when they FaceTimed. Visitation and Funeral Ceremony: Family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. David Bean will celebrate Jims life with a small prayer service at 11:00 a.m. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following ceremonies. A private burial will be held at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery.