John J. Ernst

A 26-year resident of Fresno, CA, John Jacob Ernst passed away January 15, 2017 at the age of 78. John is survived by his loving wife Annette, of 59 years, his daughter Linda Milo and significant Peter Malloy, his sons Steve and wife Kelly, Kenny and wife Malou, Ron and wife Kristina, and nine grandchildren Bobby and John Milo, Hailey and Chloe Ernst, Morgan and Samantha Ernst, Ryan, Kayla, and Tyler Ernst and sisters Marilyn Hendricks, Milly and husband Leon Hendricks, Anne and husband Paul Pankey.

Born on April 23, 1938 at home in Holt County near O’Neill, Nebraska to Ralph and Rebecca Ernst, John attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse in Nebraska and was the top of his class, also the only student in his class. He attended Miltonvale Wesleyan Academy for High School in Kansas and Kansas State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Married in 1957 to Annette Bench, they lived in Kansas while he worked at Farm Bureau. John and Annette moved to Redmond, Washington where he worked for 7 years at Boeing, H&R Block, and Service Bureau Corporation, a subsidiary of IBM. In 1970, IBM transferred him to Oahu, Hawaii where they lived the island life with their four kids for three years. In 1973 they moved to Cupertino, California where they raised their family for 19 years while John worked for Control Data Corporation. In 1992 John and Annette moved to Fresno, CA where John worked as an IT Manager for the County of Fresno until he retired in 2013.

John was an active member of First Baptist Church of Los Altos for 19 years. He could often be found poolside, on the soccer and baseball fields, and on the cross-country course and track while cheering his children on in their sports. After moving to Fresno, John and Annette were active members of Peoples Church. As a grandpa he cheered on his nine grandkids in their many activities. John was an advocate of the Red Cross and donated blood on a regular basis. He was a Godly man as was evident through his actions. He enjoyed going to the gym, walking their dog, and having weekly coffee with their coffee group. John greeted everyone with a smile, a corny joke, and his generosity and selfless acts will be missed by all of his loving family and friends.

For all of those who wish to celebrate John’s life, please join us on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm at Peoples Church, GL Johnson Chapel, 7172 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno. Arrangements provided by Lisle Funeral Home, Fresno. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of John Ernst to American Heart Association, Donation Processing Center, PO Box 742030, Los Angeles, CA 90074 or at https://donatenow.heart.org.