Ernest R. Stair
Evansville, IN
Ernest R. Stair, 78, of Evansville, IN, died Monday, April 11, 2016, at Deaconess VNA Charlier Hospice Center in Evansville. He was born June 2, 1937, in Morrisville, PA.
He was a native of Dallas, PA, and served in the United State Army from 1955-1957. After graduating from Union College in Kentucky, he studied at Yale University Divinity School in New Haven, CT. Following graduation in 1964, he was a pastor of United Methodist Churches in Burnside, KY; Nashville and Richmond, Indiana; and Methodist Temple and Albright churches in Evansville. After retirement, he was pastor of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Richland, Indiana.
Ernie was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Nancy; his parents, Edward and Lorraine Stair; brothers, Norman Stair (Mary Lou), Robert Stair (Jane); nephews, Robert Stair and Joseph Bowman; and niece, Nancy Bowman White.
His is survived by his nephew, Daniel Bowman of Seguin, TX; nieces, Ellen Stair Janis and Megan Stair Buchmann of PA, Rebecca Bowman Cockrell of Charlotte, NC; great-nieces and nephews; and special friends and caregivers, Harold Grossman, and Ruth and Tom Burris of Evansville.
Thank you to Robert and Diane Grossman, Deaconess Gateway and Deaconess VNA Charlier Hospice Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Alexander East Chapel officiated by Pastor Mike Turner and Pastor James Ahl with burial in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit 4-7 PM on Friday and Saturday, 10 AM until service time.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, anyone wishing to honor Ernest may make a donation to Parenting Time Center, 101 NW Tenth Street, Evansville, IN 47708. Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier Press on Apr. 13, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Ernest Stair

11 Entries

Albert Hockaday Name

June 18, 2019

A great friend! A gentleman! One whose life made a profound difference in the lives of others - I know he did in my life!

don smith

April 6, 2019

one of the kindest -gentle-person i ever met

Michael Stair

May 3, 2016

How shocked I was when Ernie's niece Ellen phoned me and told me of his death. I had just talked to him on the phone on St. Patrick's Day and he sounded great.

Ernie came from a long line of Stair men who had been deeply involved with the church. His Uncle Marvin (my grandfather) was a strict dyed in the wool Methodist who wore black high top dress shoes until he died in early 1970. And his dad (Ernie's grandfather) was very instrumental in building the Stairville UM Church located
in the mountainous farmland of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

I will miss chatting with him on the phone.

April 14, 2016

All comments are true, what a true Christian! We were blessed when Ernest married us 41 years ago, my sincere sorrow, Darlene and Jim Lingle,

Roger Sills

April 14, 2016

This entry is from the Sills family. We are sad to hear of Ernie's passing. I have met a lot of people in my life and none seem to be more at peace in life than Ernie. He was there to marry and bury Sills family members. He did both with his typical dignity and class. Always quiet and friendly he was a great man.

The Staff of Lakeside Manor

April 13, 2016

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss our thoughts are with your family during this difficult time. Ernest will remain in our hearts forever.

Albert Hockaday

April 12, 2016

First Nancy now Ernie! Alas! The deaths of these two wonderful and remarkable friends are huge losses for Hattie and me. We've known Nancy and Ernie and we have been friends since we were neighbors and classmates at Yale University Divinity School -- yes, 52 years ago. They were there for and with us, when our children were born at Yale. At Yale, Ernie and I had campus jobs for the summer cleaning floors, washing walls and windows. As we worked, we also had barrels of fun playing shuffle board with push brooms and tops from 5 gallons wax cans. Through the years, as we have visited, talked with and written to each other, our friendship has only grown richer and richer. Ernie has influenced my life in so many good ways. He spread a lot of love around. Personally and through his inspiring and uplifting STAIRWAYS, he shed a world of light in many corners. In the memories he left, his spirit still shines bright. As I review many chapters in my life, Ernie Stair's name keep popping up as one of the kindest, most thoughtful and most gracious human beings I've ever known! As I remember him, I can only give thanks to God for Ernie's life and the blessing of his lasting friendship!

April 12, 2016

We knew Nancy and Ernie from Albright they was two of the finest people we ever met. DON and Pat Smith and Matthew

April 12, 2016

I first knew Ernie when he was my Associate Pastor at Methodist Temple. This was followed by working with him while I was employed at the Evansville District UMC Office. I never heard a cross word from him. Always a smile and a gracious manner describes Ernie. I thank our Father for the chance of knowing both Ernie and Nancy. Marty VanStone

Gary Roberts

April 12, 2016

I followed Ernest at Nashville in Brown County - he was easy to follow and most supportive. I am grateful I got to know he and Nancy.

Rebecca Bowman-Cockrell

April 12, 2016

Ernest Stair was my Uncle Ernie.
He is one of the kindest human beings that I have ever know. He has had a profound and lasting influence on my life and I hope that I can live up to the example that he set for me.
He was the pastor at my marriage in 1994. Eric and I just celebrated our 22nd anniversary , so I would say he tied a good knot. Eric, myself , and my children Annabela, Joseph, and Paul will all miss Uncle Ernie very much.

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