Ernest Leroy Likens

Ernest Leroy Likens

May 3, 1907 September 21, 2003

The Lord called the spirit of beloved Ernest Leroy Likens on Sunday, September 21, at his home in Bakersfield. He was 96 years old. Mr. Likens was born May 3, 1907, in Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, the son of Francis Alexander Likens and Eva Belle Rogers. He was the great-grandson of the original pioneer settlers of Madison County, Iowa, Caleb and Ruth Clark.

Mr. Likens is survived by his wife of twenty-six years, Ruth Luella Hicks Boatman McGhee. Three children survive him from his marriage to Monnie Jewell Thomas, who died in Bakersfield in 1976: James Dean Likens of Claremont, California, Ann B. Wood of Bakersfield, and Sally Elizabeth Mayo of Bakersfield. His sister Eva Catherine Bruns Kelsey Palmason lives in Marysville, Washington. He also leaves two step-children, seven grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, and two step-great-grandchildren plus their wives and husbands. He outlived two brothers and a sister, plus two stepsisters, and all twenty-two of his first cousins. He leaves many dear friends.

A resident of Kern County since 1936, Mr. Likens last worked for the Kern County High School District at Bakersfield High School. He was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association and the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). He was a member of the Lamont Church of Christ for over fifty years.

Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary on Wednesday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m.