Lawerence Henry Ernsberger, Sr., 83, of Coldwater passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020 at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Larry was born to Walter and Hazel (Lincoln) Ernsberger on April 1, 1937 in Coldwater. He attended Coldwater schools and honorably served his country in the Army National Guard. On October 7, 1961 he married Joyce Smullen in Angola, IN, she preceded him in death in 2001. Lawerence was a direct and hardworking man; he led a busy career that consisted of excavating, heavy equipment operation, truck driving, owning a motorcycle shop, and working for the state home. Although Larry was always on the move, he certainly knew how to enjoy life too. He was a member of the Coldwater Saints Motor Cycle Club and he enjoyed working on almost anything with a motor, flying cable airplanes, and CB radios. Lawerence also had a knack for speed; he raced motorcycles and competed in scrambles, raced stock cars at Butler Motor Speedway, and also got behind the wheel of speed boats if he wasn’t skiing behind them first. His racing reputation was second only to his passion for music; he sang and played guitar which eventually led to him performing on radio stations such as WTVB and WNWN and even his own band Larry and the Pirates. He also enjoyed watching every John Wayne movie ever made. He was a colorful man with a great sense of humor that truly had a lifetime of accomplishments, but what he treasured most was his family, especially his grandchildren. To them he is the world famous husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many that will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his children, Su (Charles) Diamond of Bronson, Kandy Ernsberger, Jack (Laurie) Ernsberger both of Coldwater, Fred (Tami Wendorf) Ernsberger of Bronson; his sister Betty Bates of Coldwater; 10 grandchildren Cassandra (Adam) Nageldinger, Yolanda (Taylor) Huerta, Carol Lopez, Lori (Trevor) Hochstedler, Jason Ernsberger, Nicole (Brandon) Adamski, Jeff (Rhonda Eicher) Ernsberger, Tawny (Aaron) Modert, Torey Ernsberger, Damen Ernsberger; 9 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; many loving nieces and nephews; and his special companion Grace Houtz of Coldwater.
In addition to his wife Joyce, Lawerence was preceded in death by his parents, his son Lawrence “J.R.” Ernsberger Jr., and his brothers Frederick and Donald Ernsberger.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. www.dutcherfh.com.