Ernest Hugo Steinert, Jr.

Ernest Hugo “Spike” Steinert, Jr., age 84, resident of Somerville, Tennessee and husband of Darlene Steinert, departed this life Monday evening, July 14, 2025 at his home.

Ernest was born May 8, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of the late Ernest Hugo Steinert, Sr. and Bertye Winfrey Steinert. He graduated from Peabody High School in 1959 and continued his education at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He served in the United States Air Force for six years as a draftsman and was employed at Bellsouth for 43 years, beginning as a lineman and advancing to IT before his retirement in 2004.

Mr. Steinert was the Fire Chief for the Somerville Fire Department for 23 years before retiring. He was married June 1, 1976 to Darlene Hazlerig Steinert and was a member of Somerville Presbyterian Church. Ernest enjoyed woodworking, restoring horsedrawn farm equipment, Sunday afternoon drives and spending time with his grandchildren, especially going on trips.

Mr. Steinert was a member of the United States Army Reserves in Trenton, Tennessee, a member of the Rotary Club and a board member at Fayette Academy for 14 years. He was also a member of the Tennessee Fireman’s Association, the United States Fireman’s Association and the Tennessee Defense Task Force.

Mr. Steinert is survived by his wife of 49 years, Darlene Steinert of Somerville, TN; two daughters, Heather Doyle (Clint) of Somerville, TN and Courtney Silcox (Randall) of Gallatin, TN; his brother, Pete Steinert of Somerville, TN; and five grandchildren, Brady Silcox, Ally Silcox, Everette Doyle, Sadie Doyle and Emma Silcox.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy McCaul.

Funeral Services for Mr. Steinert were held at 1 P.M. Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Bro. David Reeves, pastor of Midway Baptist Church in Whiteville, officiating. Interment with Military Honors followed in the Somerville City Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Clint Doyle, Brady Silcox, Everette Doyle, Alex Armour, Matthew Armour, Sid Matlock, Kel Blanton and Jeremy Lipford. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Simons, Mack Evans, Gary Rich, Harold Feathers, Ronnie Browning, Robert Boyd Parker, Jimmy Williams, Bobby Riles and Jamie Jenkins.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the PAN Foundation at www.panfoundation.org or to the charity of the donor’s choice.