Ernest P. Ehlers

1936 - 10

Ernest P. Ehlers, 73, of West Brownsville, formerly of North Belle Vernon, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2010, in West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh. He was born Oct. 16, 1936, in Waynesboro, a son of the late Ernest P. and Arbelia Smith Ehlers. He was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church of Belle Vernon, the Grindstone Lions Club and the Steam, Gas and Horse Association. Ernie was a board member of the Mon Valley Refuse Authority and a former member, past president and a Melvin Jones Award recipient of the Belle Vernon Lions Club. He also served in the Army and, for 42 years, was the sole owner and operator of Ehlers Auto Parts, with stores in North Belle Vernon, Greensburg and Monongahela. Formerly of North Belle Vernon, he has resided in West Brownsville since 2003. Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Sarah "Sally" McGrail Ehlers; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Caryl and Gene Linck, of McDonald, Rosemary "Sue" and Dick Black, of West Brownsville, and Barbara Kennwig, of Virginia; one brother and sister-in-law, David and Elvira Erdenbreck, of York; his dear friends, Melanie and Cathy Yu, of Clinton, N.J.; several nieces and nephews and his loving dogs, Ziba, Crisco, Bumper and Lucky. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Richard Ehlers. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 724-929-5300, 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon. A blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Lawrence Manchas officiating. The rosary will be prayed in the funeral home at 3 p.m. Wednesday led by members of St. Sebastian Parish and then at 7 p.m. the members of Grindstone Lions will meet in the funeral home to hold services. www.fergusonfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.