Ernest Anton Sjuts

URBANA — Ernest Anton Sjuts was born in Champaign County on Jan. 26, 1933, to Anton and Mareka Ihen Sjuts. Ernie attended York Grade School and St. Joseph High School. Ernie enrolled in the U.S. Army in 1953 and was sent to Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Ark. He served in the Korean War in Austria, where he met his lifelong best friendof 65 years, Donald (Betty) Barron.

Ernie married Sylvia Flessner on June 23, 1957, and was blessed with children, Mark (Julie), Keith, Sharolyn (Wally) Worley and Don (Susue), whom he loved and adored. Ernie married Evelyn Blue Buhr on Aug. 25, 1978, whom he loved so much and who was always by his side. She brought two children to their marriage, James Buhr and Ranae (Sam) Buck, which Ernie loved as his own. All of his children thought he was the best dad ever. He was a source of comfort, inspiration and love to his children.

He was passionately known as Opa to Dustin, Chason, Ryan (Ashley), Rylee, Trent (Caitlyn), Traesha (Drew), Tad, Brandt, Corey, Maddie, Cain, Janna, Jamie, Nick, Ellen, Erica and David (Heather); and great-Opa to Ayden, Brady, Charlie and Layla.

Along with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Ernie is survived by his sister, Norma (Don) Sherfey; brother-in-law, Earl Ideus; brother/sister-in-law, John and Ellen Blue; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Mareka (Ihnen); sister, Delores Ideus; brother-inlaw, Wendell Olson; son, Mark; and grandson, Chason.

Ernie was proud to have served his country. He loved his family and he loved farming. He loved washing his vehicles and driving

around checking crops in his white Ford truck or decked out golf cart. He loved caring for his cattle and his current dog, Lucas-Lou. He drove Ford trucks and international tractors and semis.

One of his many highlights of his life was earning his high school diploma from St. Joseph-Ogden High School in 2012, alongside his granddaughter, Jamie Buck. In 2014, Ernie received the Father of the Year award from Eastern Illini Electric. For this award, he was described by his grandchildren as honorable, a veteran, compassionate, loving, wise, funny, supportive, strong, generous, irreplaceable, an encourager and their greatest cheerleader. He and his best friend, Don Barron, traveled on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2014.

Ernie was a lifelong member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, where he served on the church council and Sunday School department. He was a lifelong farmer in the St. Joseph-Thomasboro-Rantoul- Urbana communities. He loved working alongside his sons, Mark and Don.

Throughout the years, his faith may have been tested, but he never questioned God’s purpose.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville. Pastor James Lehmann will officate. Burial will be in Kopmann Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the church.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, or Kopmann Cemetery.

Champaign News-Gazette 4/6/2018