Ernest "Ernie" R Hedges

Ernie was born in Courtland, Kansas, October 19, 1911, to his parents Elmer Hedges and Lottie M. Creighton Hedges.

He was the owner and operator of Hedges Bakery in Melbourne which he started in 1964, after moving from Madison, Wisconsin.

Ernie was a WWII Army Veteran. He was able to fly on the Honor Flight to see the WW II Memorial on his birthday, October 19, 2012 when he turned 101 years of age.

He was an active member of Grace Bible Church in Palm Bay for 50 years, serving as an Elder, teaching Bible studies, organist, and an AWANA leader.

Ernie, a volunteer for over 13 years with the Melbourne Police Department, worked with them until he reached the age of 102.

He was an avid gardener and Rummikub player.

Ernie began writing books at the age of 80, and published his book (which is available on Amazon) “Flowers for Cina” at 90 years of age.

He was the last of 10 siblings, Ernie being second to the youngest.

Ernie and his wife Teresa (Cina) married in Florence, Italy in 1945. Cina passed away on July 6, 1998.

He is survived by his children Dorothy (Paul) Olsen, Jane Meier, David Hedges (Merle), Jonathan Hedges; grandchildren Shawn (Joe) Fijol, Shannon (Phillip) Hayes, Timothy Olsen, Selene (Avery) Evans, David (Lisa) Meier, Brooke (Rich) Lowry, Jordan Hedges, Amy (Steven) White, Joshua Hedges, Chanda (Billy) Griese; great grandchildren Breanna, Desiree, Elli, Riley, Zander, Joseph, Charli, Jagger, Jessica, Easton, Cina, Chloe, Andrew, Matthew, Gage, Emma, April, Andrew, Lucy, Sara (Luke), Joel Hopkins. He was also survived by his family Karl Meier, Teresa Bastian and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 10:00AM Sunday November 6, 2016 at Grace Bible Church, 3620 Bayside Lakes Boulevard SE, Palm Bay, Florida 32909.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mario Indino, Grace Beyond Borders International , 12365 Grafton Rd. Grafton, Ohio 44044, or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.