Richard Edward Ernst, 90, of Siberia

Richard was born April 19, 1935. The last child of Francis "Leo" Ernst and Clara Jasper. His siblings were Perline Schaefer, Victor Ernst, Rita Gogel, Lucille Hendricks and Mary Lee Quinlin. 

Richard was born with a Cleft-Palate and his father traveled 3 days by buggy to Indianapolis to have it fixed. Three days after they were home it reopened, and his mom was very ill. Due to her illness, they never made the trip again. 

Richard went to school until the 8th grade but could not communicate very well. He was placed in a group home in 1986 after his parents both died. It was later determined he had Fragile X Syndrome which was passed down through a gene on the Jasper side. 

Richard loved watching the fireman when he sat on his swing at the group home. They gave him the nickname, "Ernie". 

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, December 10th at St. Martin of Tours Cemetery in Siberia at 1:30 CT. Richard will be laid to rest alongside his parents.