In Memory of

Donald

R.

Ernsberger

Obituary for Donald R. Ernsberger

Donald “Don” Ray Ernsberger, 67, of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2016 surrounded by his family at home.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with Pastor Harold Jewel of Oasis of Love Church officiating. Interment will follow at Snow Prairie Cemetery in Bethel Township. Visitation will take place from 9:00 – 10:00 AM prior to the funeral service at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Don was born April 27, 1947 to Walter and Pauline (Sanders) Ernsberger in Bronson. After graduating from Bronson High School and attending one year at Glen Oaks Community College he entered the United States Army. He served from August 4, 1965 until August 3, 1967 as a Radio Operator and attained the rank of PFC. He was also in the Michigan National Guard. His first marriage was to Ute Zeiske of Heidelberg, Germany. On June 22, 1989 in Coldwater he married his current wife Theresa Foster.
Don worked at the Coldwater Regional Center as a resident care aid for 25 years retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Oasis of Love Church in Coldwater. Don enjoyed Civil War movies and participating in Civil War re-enactments, writing poetry, hunting, fishing, camping all around Michigan with his family and grandchildren and traveling-especially to the ocean.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years Theresa; his children, Penny (Gregory) St. Cyr of Caseville and Michael (Cheryl) Ernsberger of Coldwater; his step children, Michelle Ward Nail of Coldwater, Matthew (Ashley) Yearling of Rochester, Indiana and Christopher (Jackie) Ward of Norwood, North Carolina; his grandchildren, Bo Wisneski of Maryville, Tennessee, Shea St. Cyr of Caseville, Michael Ernsberger of Coldwater, Christine (Norman) Creech of Kendallville, Indiana, Tanner (Sheyana McIntire) Younce of Coldwater, Brandon Younce of Coldwater, Brittny (James) Lewis of Indian Land, South Carolina and Hailey Madison Ward of Norwood, North Carolina; 4 great grandchildren; his sister Betty Bates of Coldwater, his brother Lawrence (Special friend, Grace Houtz) Ernsberger of Coldwater and his sister in law E. Joyce Ernsberger of Quincy. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Frederick Ernsberger, his sister in law Joyce Ernsberger and his brother in law Wesley Bates.
Memorials may be directed to CHC Home Health and Hospice or the Parkinson’s Foundation.
www.dutcherfh.com