Ernest Scherman

Ernest Scherman VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Ernest Scherman, 89, passed away peacefully in his Virginia Beach home Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. He was born in Bemidji, Minn., Oct. 30, 1920. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy Marie who entered eternal rest in July of 2001. Ernest was retired as a command master chief in the United States Navy. His service record began prior to 1940 serving in the Conservative Conservation Corps in the U.S. Army in Minnesota before joining the Navy Aug. 11, 1942. He served under several commands such as the USS Iowa during World War II, which carried President Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Josef Stalin to the Yelta conference. He further served at the Great Lakes Naval Training Facility in Illinois training new recruits before completing tours on numerous other Naval ships and commands. His service to the United States military concluded after 50 years. He retired in 1990 after more than 20 years on the USS Caloosahatchee where he served as the command master chief. Ernest married his wife Dorothy, a Texas native, in 1947. They raised six children: Mary Ann Switzer of Knotts Island, N.C., Ernest Jr., Alfred, Von Dale Pehl, Frank and Michael, all of Virginia Beach. He has a sister, Agnes Henderson of Boy River, Minn. He shared his life with 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. He had several nieces and nephews. The family will have a visitation at the funeral home Sunday, Nov. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be a service celebrating his life conducted at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Lynnhaven Chapel, Monday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Rosewood Memorial Park, Virginia Beach. The Rev. Richard Gates, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church will be officiating the service. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Air Compassion for Veterans program, whose national office is in Virginia Beach. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.